Head Men's Lacrosse Coach

Position Summary

The Head Men's Lacrosse Coach is responsible for all aspects of managing a competitive NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse program. The Coach will be charged with recruiting, developing, and mentoring student-athletes who will excel academically, athletically, and socially. A primary focus of this role is to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-achieving team culture while implementing strategies to significantly increase program competitiveness within the Northeast-10 (NE-10) Conference and nationally. The coach must operate the program in full compliance with all American International College (AIC), NE-10, and NCAA rules and regulations.

Key Responsibilities & Expectations

I. Program Leadership & Competitiveness (NCAA Division II Focus)

• Recruitment: Develop and execute a comprehensive, continuous recruiting plan to attract highly qualified student-athletes who meet AIC's admissions standards and possess the athletic talent to compete at the Division II level. This includes regional, national, and international scouting and evaluation.
• Coaching & Instruction: Design, organize, and conduct daily practices, training sessions, and game-day strategies. Provide expert instruction in individual and team lacrosse skills, tactics, and conditioning necessary for success in the competitive NE-10.
• Program Scheduling: Develop and manage a competitive non-conference and conference schedule designed to enhance the team's strength of schedule and positioning for postseason consideration.
• Fiscal Management: Prepare, manage, and adhere to the annual operating budget, ensuring responsible fiscal management of all program resources, including travel, equipment, and recruiting funds.
• Program Administration: Oversee all logistical aspects of the program, including travel arrangements, equipment inventory, facility scheduling, and maintenance requests.

II. Student-Athlete Development & Culture

• Academic Excellence: Collaborate closely with the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and Academic Services staff to monitor the academic progress of all student-athletes, ensuring they meet eligibility requirements and encouraging the pursuit of academic distinction.
• Positive Team Culture: Establish and actively maintain a positive, supportive, and inclusive team environment characterized by high standards of sportsmanship, respect, accountability, and ethical conduct.
• Mentorship: Serve as a positive role model and mentor, promoting personal development, leadership skills, community engagement, and the overall well-being of the student-athletes.
• Discipline & Conduct: Enforce team rules and department policies, ensuring student-athletes represent the college with integrity both on and off the field.

III. Roster Management and Retention

• Retention Strategy: Develop and implement proactive strategies to maximize the retention of qualified student-athletes from the initial recruitment class through graduation. This includes regular check-ins, performance feedback, and addressing off-field issues swiftly.
• Roster Size Management: Strategically manage the roster size to align with AIC’s institutional enrollment goals, department resources, and competitive needs, ensuring the team remains optimally sized for practice effectiveness and game-day competition.
• Scholarship Management: Manage the distribution of athletic scholarship/grant-in-aid dollars effectively and ethically, ensuring compliance with NCAA limits and maximizing the impact of financial aid on talent acquisition and retention.
• Exit Interviews & Feedback: Conduct confidential exit interviews with student-athletes who depart the program to gather data and continuously improve the student-athlete experience and retention environment.

IV. Compliance & Institutional Support

• NCAA Compliance: Ensure the program operates in full and constant compliance with all institutional, NE-10 Conference, and NCAA Division II rules and regulations, including adherence to ethical standards and reporting procedures.
• Fundraising & External Relations: Participate actively in department-wide and program-specific fundraising efforts, community service initiatives, and alumni engagement activities to support the program and the Athletic Department's mission.
• Institutional Stewardship: Support the overall mission and values of American International College. Attend required department meetings, college events, and professional development seminars.
• Staff Supervision: Recruit, train, and supervise assistant coach(es) and support staff (e.g., student managers, volunteer coaches) as budget permits.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of successful coaching experience at the collegiate level (NCAA DII experience preferred) or comparable high-level coaching experience.
• Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of current lacrosse strategies, techniques, and training methods. Comprehensive understanding of NCAA Division II rules and regulations.
• Skills: Strong communication (verbal and written), interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills. Proven ability to recruit talented student-athletes.
• Culture: A commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment and promoting the welfare of student-athletes.
• Other: Valid driver's license and the ability to travel extensively for recruiting and competition.