Head Coach: Women's Basketball

Title: Head Coach: Women’s Basketball

Department/Location:  History, Elsah, IL

Position Type: Full-Time, 10-month

Summary

The Head Women’s Basketball Coach leads and manages the intercollegiate women’s basketball program in accordance with NCAA, conference, and Principia College policies. This position holds shared responsibility for the strategic recruitment, enrollment, development, and retention of student‑athletes who align with Principia’s academic standards, institutional values, and enrollment priorities.

The coach is responsible for all aspects of program leadership, including competitive success, student‑athlete experience, academic integrity, and collaboration with Athletics, Admissions, and Student Life. The role fosters a team culture reflective of Principia’s mission while actively contributing to campus life, professional development, and institutional enrollment goals.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference. \

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Title: Head Coach: Women’s Basketball

Department/Location:  History, Elsah, IL

Position Type: Full-Time, 10-month

Summary

The Head Women’s Basketball Coach leads and manages the intercollegiate women’s basketball program in accordance with NCAA, conference, and Principia College policies. This position holds shared responsibility for the strategic recruitment, enrollment, development, and retention of student‑athletes who align with Principia’s academic standards, institutional values, and enrollment priorities.

The coach is responsible for all aspects of program leadership, including competitive success, student‑athlete experience, academic integrity, and collaboration with Athletics, Admissions, and Student Life. The role fosters a team culture reflective of Principia’s mission while actively contributing to campus life, professional development, and institutional enrollment goals.

Who We Are

At our award-winning Early Childhood through grade 12 Principia School in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education—blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia’s team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of alumni and friends. 

At Principia College, our globally focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation’s oldest student-run public affairs conference. \

Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow’s leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued. 

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Team Development

• Leads the intercollegiate women’s basketball program in compliance with NCAA, conference, and Principia College standards.
• Develops a competitive, values‑based team culture that supports student success both on and off the court.
• Designs and implements in‑season and off‑season training programs grounded in best coaching practices.
• Provides technical, tactical, and strategic instruction during practices and competition.
• Recruits, supervises, mentors, and evaluates assistant coaches.
• Prepares practice plans, game strategies, and player development plans.
• Oversees equipment distribution, recovery, inventory, and care.
• Manages home court game‑day setup and operational readiness.
• Provides annual recommendations for program budgets, equipment, and facility needs.
• Works with the Director of Athletics to develop competitive and sustainable season schedules.
• Coordinates home game management, including statistics, staffing, and operations.
• Organizes team travel and communicates itineraries to Athletics and Student Life.
• Maintains positive relationships with alumni and community stakeholders in collaboration with Athletics, Alumni Relations, and Advancement.
• Ensures adherence to sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and institutional expectations; reports concerns or violations promptly.
• Completes required administrative, compliance, sport information, and committee responsibilities.

Strategic Recruitment & Enrollment Partnership

• Recruiting is a core leadership function of this position and is evaluated based on both process and outcomes.
• Designs and executes a strategic recruiting plan aligned with Principia’s enrollment goals, academic expectations, institutional values, and market priorities.
• Identifies, recruits, and enrolls student‑athletes who demonstrate academic readiness, character alignment, and competitive potential.
• Collaborates closely with the Office of Admissions to ensure coordinated recruiting communication, visit strategy, application flow, and yield behavior.
• Participates in shared recruiting systems, timelines, and practices, including CRM documentation and data‑informed decision‑making.
• Maintains consistent, mission‑aligned communication with prospects, families, and coaches via phone, email, social media, and in‑person contact.
• Develops and facilitates camps, clinics, and recruiting events that support enrollment goals in both traditional and emerging markets.
• Coordinates on‑campus visits with Admissions and Athletics to deliver a cohesive, student‑centered experience.
• Demonstrates shared accountability for recruiting effectiveness, with performance evaluated through agreed‑upon outcomes as part of the annual review process.
• Contributes to consistent recruiting expectations and practices across head coach roles within the Athletics Department.

Student** ‑ ***Athlete Support & Academic Integrity*

• Monitors academic progress and supports student‑athletes facing academic, personal, or social challenges.
• Ensures participation in athletics enhances—rather than compromises—academic success.
• Communicates student concerns promptly and collaboratively with the Director of Athletics and appropriate campus partners.
• Upholds Principia’s conduct expectations and addresses issues with professionalism and care.
• Conducts end‑of‑season evaluations and senior exit interviews focused on development, retention, and continuous improvement.

Professional Advancement & Institutional Engagement

• Attends coaching clinics, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
• Remains current on NCAA regulations, recruiting legislation, and sport‑specific best practices.
• Participates in professional organizations through service, leadership roles, or scholarship.
• Demonstrates ongoing progress toward an advanced degree or relevant professional certification.
• Engages fully in campus life and contributes positively to the Athletics Department and broader College community.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Recruiter:  Aligns recruiting practices with enrollment priorities and institutional goals; evaluates success through outcomes.
• Results** ‑ ***Driven:*  Prioritizes work effectively and achieves measurable progress.
• Relationship Builder:  Develops strong partnerships with students, colleagues, Admissions, and external stakeholders.
• Clear Communicator:  Communicates consistently, professionally, and with purpose across audiences.
• Collaborative:  Works effectively within shared systems and cross‑departmental partnerships.
• Proactive:  Anticipates needs, initiates action, and pursues continuous improvement.
• Inclusive:  Demonstrates cultural awareness and fosters a welcoming, respectful environment for all.

Minimum Qualifications

• Student of Christian Science preferred
• Supportive of Principia’s guiding statements as articulated here https://www.principia.edu/about/guiding-statements 
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred or progress toward relevant certification.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible coaching experience at the collegiate level preferred; comparable experience considered.
• Demonstrated knowledge of coaching methodology, recruiting strategy, and NCAA rules.
• Evidence of strong leadership, ethical conduct, and people‑management skills.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain student‑athletes aligned with academic and institutional priorities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and Microsoft Office (or comparable platforms).
• Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends as required.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work, but are not a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of Principia.  

Compensation and Benefits  

We offer a competitive starting salary range for this position: $63,665-$71,600 annually, commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

In addition to salary, our comprehensive total rewards package includes: 

Generous Employee Tuition Discount:  Enjoy a 90% discount on tuition (pro-rated for part-time staff) for your eligible children enrolled from Pre-K3 through College (infant and acorn programs excluded). 

Relocation:  Principia provides a relocation imbursement of up to 12% of your annual salary when moving from outside a radius of more than 50 miles. 

Professional Development:  Access to learning opportunities, training programs, and career growth support. 

Comprehensive Benefits : Learn more about all our benefits here, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, paid time off, a 403(b) retirement plan with Principia matching, and more. 

Equal Opportunity

Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status. 

In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia—as an institution with a religious mission—gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.

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