Defensive Line Coach

Responsibilities

If you love building a fearless, disciplined front—and you’re just as invested in a player’s GPA as their results on the field —this role is for you. As Defensive Line Coach at Johnson C. Smith University, you’ll shape the identity of our defense: teaching technique, instilling standards, and crafting game plans that turn preparation into production. You’ll have a real voice in strategy, the autonomy to run your room, and the support to develop student-athletes holistically. From recruiting high-character talent to coordinating practice scripts and film study, you’ll be a teacher-coach, a culture-builder, and a visible ambassador for JCSU in the CIAA and NCAA.

What You’ll Do - Lead the Defensive Line: Plan and run position meetings, install techniques and fronts, script indy/pod/team periods, and align weekly objectives with the defensive staff. - Own the Game Plan (Front Seven emphasis): Contribute to defensive scouting, call-sheet prep, substitutions, and in-game adjustments; coordinate with staff to finalize the plan by mid-week. - Film & Scouting: Maintain and update opponent film cut-ups and instructional libraries for the defensive unit; ensure players are prepared with clear, concise scouting reports. - Player Development: Monitor academic progress for your position group; serve as liaison to Compliance, Academic Support, and other student services to keep athletes on track to graduate. - Recruiting: Identify, evaluate, and recruit student-athletes who fit our standards—athletically, academically, and culturally; build strong relationships with high school coaches and families. - Operations & Game Day: Organize game-day locker room and equipment needs for the DL; support special teams strategy as assigned. - Staff Leadership: Supervise and mentor assigned position coaches (full-time, part-time, volunteer) to ensure alignment, quality teaching, and consistent standards. - Campus & Community Presence: Support public relations, alumni and donor engagement, community events, and occasional fundraising activities. - Compliance: Uphold NCAA, CIAA, and JCSU policies and procedures at all times.

Responsibilities

If you love building a fearless, disciplined front—and you’re just as invested in a player’s GPA as their results on the field —this role is for you. As Defensive Line Coach at Johnson C. Smith University, you’ll shape the identity of our defense: teaching technique, instilling standards, and crafting game plans that turn preparation into production. You’ll have a real voice in strategy, the autonomy to run your room, and the support to develop student-athletes holistically. From recruiting high-character talent to coordinating practice scripts and film study, you’ll be a teacher-coach, a culture-builder, and a visible ambassador for JCSU in the CIAA and NCAA.

What You’ll Do - Lead the Defensive Line: Plan and run position meetings, install techniques and fronts, script indy/pod/team periods, and align weekly objectives with the defensive staff. - Own the Game Plan (Front Seven emphasis): Contribute to defensive scouting, call-sheet prep, substitutions, and in-game adjustments; coordinate with staff to finalize the plan by mid-week. - Film & Scouting: Maintain and update opponent film cut-ups and instructional libraries for the defensive unit; ensure players are prepared with clear, concise scouting reports. - Player Development: Monitor academic progress for your position group; serve as liaison to Compliance, Academic Support, and other student services to keep athletes on track to graduate. - Recruiting: Identify, evaluate, and recruit student-athletes who fit our standards—athletically, academically, and culturally; build strong relationships with high school coaches and families. - Operations & Game Day: Organize game-day locker room and equipment needs for the DL; support special teams strategy as assigned. - Staff Leadership: Supervise and mentor assigned position coaches (full-time, part-time, volunteer) to ensure alignment, quality teaching, and consistent standards. - Campus & Community Presence: Support public relations, alumni and donor engagement, community events, and occasional fundraising activities. - Compliance: Uphold NCAA, CIAA, and JCSU policies and procedures at all times.

You’ll Thrive Here If You Are - Development-driven: A teacher first—clear, precise, and relentless about technique, effort, and fundamentals. - Game-plan savvy: Collaborative, film-fluent, and quick to translate scouting into simple, executable calls. - Standards-focused: Consistent with accountability, positive with corrections, and strong on culture. - Student-centered: Invested in academic progress, well-being, and life skills—on and off the field. - Relationship-builder: Skilled at recruiting, staff coordination, and representing the program with integrity.

Why JCSU

Join a proud HBCU with a competitive spirit and a campus community that believes in developing scholars, leaders, and champions. You’ll help shape a defense that reflects our values: toughness, discipline, and unity.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree and or equivalent coaching experience. Master’s degree preferred. Working knowledge of NCAA rules and compliance issues concerning the administration of Intercollegiate Athletics are required. Demonstrated ability to recruit student-athletes with potential for academicandathleticsuccess.Excellent communication and organizational skills as well as the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the general public. A valid driver’s license is preferred. The equivalent combination of education, related work experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

WorkingConditionsandAtmosphere

In accordance with the principles of NCAA rules compliance, it is understood that any employee who is found in violation of NCAA regulations shall be subject to disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in the provisions of the NCAA enforcement procedures, including suspension without pay or termination of employment. If, for any reason including but not limited to resignation, reassignment, death, disability or voluntary termination of the head coach, this employment relationship automatically terminates within forty-five days of the date the change in status of the head coach.

Visible program under constant scrutiny of students, faculty, staff, community, media, and alumni. Considerable travel and frequent night and weekend hours involved. Incumbent spends the period of August to November and one month in the spring coaching the sport of football. The balance of the year is spent recruiting, utilizing independent judgment and a great deal of analysis in recruiting prospects and offer them the opportunity to join the JCSU Football program.

Supplemental Information

To apply, please include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three supervisory references including the most recent supervisor.

Finalists for this position are subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

Apply Now