Head Coach, Basketball

Please label all uploaded documents with your full name (for example: Jane_Doe_Resume). This helps ensure your materials are properly matched to your application.

Description

Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Basketball Head Coach is responsible for leading, creating a successful plan, and administering all aspects of the basketball program. This individual is responsible for maintaining the program's integrity, creating a genuine student-athlete concept, and the personal development of student-athletes, both on and off the court. All athletic personnel and programs should conform to institutional policies and regulations and the mission and values of our institution. Primary responsibilities include talent identification, skills development, supervision of assistant coaches, budget oversight, scheduling, travel coordination, equipment management, and game-day operations. The Head Coach will follow all rules and regulations pertaining to the program and appropriate governing organizations, including the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA), the National Junior College Athletics Association, and the affiliated state conference.

Polk State Athletics
Polk State Athletics is a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I institution and part of the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA)/Region 8. Polk State has five teams – baseball, men’s basketball, softball, and women’s volleyball on the Winter Haven Campus and women’s soccer on the Lakeland Campus. With more than six decades in intercollegiate competition, Polk State boasts more than 25 conference championships, 13 FCSAA/Region 8 championships, and 14 national tournament appearances, finishing as high as third.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Coordinates the development and promotion of a competitive basketball program.
• Evaluate, recruit, and graduate student-athletes. Student-athletes should demonstrate academic potential, a competitive spirit, and are of good character.
• Prepare and oversee a training program that includes conditioning, strength training, injury prevention, and basketball training for individuals and the team.
• Manage the men’s basketball program budget, including purchasing, team travel, equipment, and operational costs, while ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with the college’s guidelines.
• Coordinate game schedules, practice times, and facility usage in collaboration with Athletics administration and campus partners.
• Oversee equipment procurement, maintenance, and inventory, ensuring all gear meets branding standards.

Please label all uploaded documents with your full name (for example: Jane_Doe_Resume). This helps ensure your materials are properly matched to your application.

Description

Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Basketball Head Coach is responsible for leading, creating a successful plan, and administering all aspects of the basketball program. This individual is responsible for maintaining the program's integrity, creating a genuine student-athlete concept, and the personal development of student-athletes, both on and off the court. All athletic personnel and programs should conform to institutional policies and regulations and the mission and values of our institution. Primary responsibilities include talent identification, skills development, supervision of assistant coaches, budget oversight, scheduling, travel coordination, equipment management, and game-day operations. The Head Coach will follow all rules and regulations pertaining to the program and appropriate governing organizations, including the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA), the National Junior College Athletics Association, and the affiliated state conference.

Polk State Athletics
Polk State Athletics is a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I institution and part of the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA)/Region 8. Polk State has five teams – baseball, men’s basketball, softball, and women’s volleyball on the Winter Haven Campus and women’s soccer on the Lakeland Campus. With more than six decades in intercollegiate competition, Polk State boasts more than 25 conference championships, 13 FCSAA/Region 8 championships, and 14 national tournament appearances, finishing as high as third.

Essential Functions/Duties

• Coordinates the development and promotion of a competitive basketball program.
• Evaluate, recruit, and graduate student-athletes. Student-athletes should demonstrate academic potential, a competitive spirit, and are of good character.
• Prepare and oversee a training program that includes conditioning, strength training, injury prevention, and basketball training for individuals and the team.
• Manage the men’s basketball program budget, including purchasing, team travel, equipment, and operational costs, while ensuring fiscal responsibility and compliance with the college’s guidelines.
• Coordinate game schedules, practice times, and facility usage in collaboration with Athletics administration and campus partners.
• Oversee equipment procurement, maintenance, and inventory, ensuring all gear meets branding standards.
• Lead game-day operations, including team preparation, in-game decision-making, fan engagement initiatives, and support staff.
• Ensure compliance with NJCAA, FCSAA, and institutional rules, including eligibility, training, recruiting, and reporting requirements.
• Promote a positive team culture that supports academic achievement, leadership development, community engagement, and personal well-being.
• Coordinate and manage summer camps and community outreach programs, strengthening relationships with prospective athletes, families, and external partners.
• Monitors academic progress and eligibility status for student-athletes.
• Manages the assigned program with practice and game schedules, travel arrangements.
• Develops and executes a fundraising plan that supports the program.
• Works cooperatively with all sports to ensure college-wide coordination of the athletic department.

Typical Qualifications

Required Skills:

• Ability to work independently on broader assignments with future planning responsibilities.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively communicate in writing and orally with college personnel.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of athletic program management.
• Ability to organize and communicate orally and in writing with students, fellow workers, and others outside of the college.
• Knowledge of Title IX, FERPA and related state/federal regulations related to college athletics.
• Ability to manage and work with a variety of diverse groups.
• Ability to recruit skilled student-athletes who are positive representatives of the institution academically and athletically.

Working Conditions/Additional Information

• Must pass a Level II background check.
• Must have reliable transportation to travel to campus and other necessary work locations. If operating a vehicle on behalf of the College, you must have a clean driving record and submit to an MVR background check.
• This position may include exposure to extreme heat, other weather conditions, physical/athletic activities, and equipment that present risks (weightlifting, competitions with moving people/objects, etc.), and loud noises.

Salary and Benefits Information - This position is level P15.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.

Required Education: - Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree is required.

Required Experience: - At least five years of coaching experience is required. This may include experience at the college level or as a head coach at the high school level.

Supplemental Information

Submissions that do not include all parts of the following required information will not be considered:

• a resume
• cover letter
• an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed)

Important Information

• If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
• Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship.
• To request Veteran’s Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application.
• Polk State College is a drug-free workplace.
• Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Employment visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position. Applicants requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, J1, etc.) will not be considered.
• Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.
• Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. For information about the College’s equal access and equal opportunity policies and procedures, or to file a complaint, please contact:

Title IX Coordinator

3425 Winter Lake Road

Lakeland, FL 33803

863.669.2903

compliance@polk.edu

For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance

We encourage applicants to provide feedback of their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu.

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