What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tennis Coach - Claiborne High School position at Claiborne County Schools?
A high school tennis coach in a Tennessee public school system is responsible for leading all aspects of the varsity and junior varsity tennis programs while strictly enforcing the athletic rules of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).
Public school districts hire both internal faculty members and external non-faculty individuals for this role. The primary goal is developing student-athlete skills, enforcing academic eligibility, and fostering sportsmanship.
Core Job Responsibilities
- Instruction & Player Development: Conducts daily spring practices; teaches tennis fundamentals, footwork, singles/doubles strategies, and rules; and manages match-day court lineups.
- TSSAA Compliance: Ensures the tennis program operates within TSSAA Handbook Tennis Regulations including the strict rules governing continuous court-side coaching behavior.
- Eligibility Monitoring: Tracks student-athlete academic progress to confirm all participants meet local board and state athletic eligibility standards before match play.
- Match & Travel Logistics: Coordinates match schedules with the school Athletic Director; arranges student transportation to away matches; and oversees tournament check-ins.
- Safety & Student Welfare: Supervises student-athletes at all practices and matches; verifies that valid physical forms are on file; and implements mandatory weather/heat safety policies.
- Equipment & Inventory: Manages the procurement, distribution, collection, and storage of tennis balls, team uniforms, and court training gear.
Mandatory Qualifications & Certifications
- Education: Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED.
- Background Check: Must pass a comprehensive Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) criminal fingerprint background check and a Department of Children's Services (DCS) clearance.
- Health & Safety Certifications: Must hold active certifications in CPR and First Aid.
- State-Mandated Safety Courses: Must complete annual courses via the National Federation of State High School Associations NFHS Learn covering Concussion in Sports, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, and Heat Illness Prevention (per the Tennessee Safe Stars Act).
- Special Non-Faculty Requirements: If the coach is not a full-time certified teacher, they are classified as a Non-Faculty Coach and must additionally complete the comprehensive NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching and First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches courses before working with students.
Employment Type & Compensation
- Schedule: This is a temporary, seasonal position focused heavily in the spring semester. Practices and match events require significant after-school and weekend commitments.
- Compensation: If filled by an existing teacher, the role is paid as a stipend supplement added to their base educator salary. Non-faculty coaches receive a flat, single-season athletic stipend determined by the local board of education's athletic supplement scale