Junior High Boys’ Basketball Head Coach

Job Description

Position Summary

The Junior High Boys’ Basketball Head Coach is responsible for leading, organizing, and administering a positive, competitive, and educational basketball program for junior high student-athletes. The coach will teach fundamental basketball skills, promote sportsmanship and teamwork, support students’ academic success, and model the values of the school and community.

The coach serves as a mentor and role model, helping students develop confidence, responsibility, discipline, leadership, and a lifelong appreciation for athletics and healthy competition.

Reports To

The Junior High Boys’ Basketball Head Coach reports to the Activities Director and/or Secondary Principal.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and conduct all junior high boys’ basketball practices, competitions, meetings, and related program activities.

• Teach age-appropriate basketball fundamentals, including ball handling, passing, shooting, rebounding, defensive principles, offensive concepts, conditioning, and game strategy.

• Develop practice plans that are safe, organized, purposeful, and appropriate for the developmental needs of junior high students.

• Establish and communicate clear expectations for student-athlete conduct, attendance, effort, academic responsibility, and sportsmanship.

• Promote participation, skill development, confidence, and enjoyment of the game for all members of the program.

• Supervise student-athletes before, during, and after practices, games, travel, locker-room use, and other team activities until students are released to an authorized adult or transportation provider.

• Maintain a safe practice and competition environment by following school safety procedures, concussion protocols, injury-reporting procedures, and emergency action plans.

• Work cooperatively with the athletic trainer, school nurse, activities director, and parents or guardians regarding student health, injuries, eligibility, and participation concerns.

• Monitor student-athlete academic progress, attendance, eligibility, and behavior in accordance with school policies and Iowa High School Athletic Association requirements, as applicable.

• Communicate schedules, expectations, equipment needs, travel information, and program updates in a timely and professional manner to students, families, staff, and administrators.

• Coordinate game schedules, transportation needs, officials, facilities, equipment, and other operational needs with the Activities Director or designee.

• Maintain accurate inventory, issue and collect equipment and uniforms, and submit requests for needed supplies within established procedures and budget limitations.

• Work collaboratively with high school basketball coaches to provide program continuity, reinforce common expectations, and support long-term player development.

• Encourage student-athletes to demonstrate respect for teammates, opponents, officials, coaches, school staff, and spectators.

• Model and enforce appropriate conduct consistent with district policies, athletic codes of conduct, and the school’s expectations for extracurricular participation.

• Attend required coaches’ meetings, rules meetings, professional-development activities, and district trainings.

• Complete all required reports, rosters, eligibility documentation, injury reports, and end-of-season inventory or evaluation materials.

• Represent the school and athletic program in a positive, professional manner at all times.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Activities Director or Secondary Principal.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; associate’s or bachelor’s degree preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of basketball fundamentals, rules, coaching strategies, and player development.

• Ability to work effectively with junior high students, families, school personnel, and community members.

• Ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally in both verbal and written formats.

• Ability to supervise students and maintain a safe, structured, and positive environment.

• Successful completion of required background checks and district onboarding requirements.

• Current or ability to obtain required coaching endorsements, certifications, and trainings, including CPR/First Aid and concussion training, as required by the district, state, and athletic association.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous basketball coaching, playing, or youth-development experience.

• Experience working with middle school or junior high students.

• Knowledge of Iowa junior high athletics, school eligibility requirements, and applicable IHSAA rules and guidance.

• Current Iowa coaching authorization or ability to obtain authorization before the season begins.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of basketball fundamentals and age-appropriate instructional methods.

• Effective leadership, organization, and practice-planning skills.

• Patience, consistency, fairness, and sound judgment.

• A commitment to student safety, well-being, and positive character development.

• The ability to motivate students with a growth-minded and team-centered approach.

• Professionalism when communicating with students, families, officials, colleagues, and community members.

• The ability to manage conflict appropriately and maintain confidentiality when required.

• A commitment to inclusion and the belief that extracurricular activities contribute to the overall educational experience.

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a seasonal extracurricular position. Duties occur primarily outside the regular school day and include afternoon and evening practices, home and away contests, tournaments, team meetings, transportation responsibilities, and occasional weekend activities.

The position requires the ability to stand, walk, demonstrate athletic movements, lift and move athletic equipment, and supervise students in gymnasium, locker-room, school-transportation, and competition settings.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated by the Activities Director, Secondary Principal, or designee. Evaluation criteria may include:

• Student safety and supervision

• Organization and management of the program

• Communication with students, families, and staff

• Compliance with school, district, and athletic-association policies

• Sportsmanship and professional conduct

• Player development and program culture

• Contribution to a positive educational experience for student-athletes

Equal Opportunity Statement

The school district is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of legally protected characteristics. The district is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students, employees, and community members.