Head Softball Coach

Position Summary:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to coaching, recruiting, scheduling, budget management, ensuring an appropriate team culture and leading a highly competitive Big Ten Conference softball program. Credentials should reflect proven success in recruiting, coaching, creating a positive student-athlete experience and working with student-athletes to prepare them in the 4-5 years as a student-athlete, for their life after.

Develop and maintain a highly competitive intercollegiate sport program within the NCAA and Big Ten Conference. Direct all aspects of sport staff in recruiting, practice, and game competitions.

Responsible for the recruitment and hiring of high-integrity assistant coaches and softball specific support staff members. Responsible for their individual goal setting and coaching and conducting annual performance reviews of all softball specific staff. Instruct and teach student-athletes in fundamentals of sport technique and game strategy. Plan and execute practice and competition plans including the evaluation of opponents.

Evaluate and recruit qualified student-athletes to the University of Minnesota whose athletic skills make them highly competitive in the Big Ten Conference and whose academic abilities make them good candidates for a meaningful academic experience and graduation from the University of Minnesota and who are good ambassadors among the campus and Twin Cities community.

Perform significant administrative responsibilities, including budget planning and management, scheduling of competitions, and planning and executing team travel.

Lead in monitoring the academic performance of student-athletes to help them achieve full potential in a meaningful degree. Provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop life and leadership skills during their time as a student-athlete. Assist in advancing the department's vision, commitments and actions identified in our United Are We strategic plan.

Establish and maintain effective relationships within the athletics department, the campus community, metro and outstate communities as well as communities of color and various socio-economic communities. Establish and maintain positive and effective relationships with donors, booster clubs, alumni, high school and club coaches, media, and the general public.

Represent in a positive fashion the University and its athletic programs in private and public forums. Represent the sport program in fulfilling contacts with or requests from, the news media, including appearances on radio and television, speaking engagements and the like. Commit to adhering to all rules and regulations of the Department, the University, the Big Ten Conference, and the NCAA. Stay current with changing NCAA legislation and sport specific rules and regulations.

Creates an enthusiastic following and support among donors, fans, faculty/staff, and the general student body. Actively engage with external communities. Participates and is fully engaged with departmental and campus fundraising activities. Occasionally organizes and manages fundraising opportunities to support softball's enhancement fund.

Essential Functions:
25% of time

• Representing the University of Minnesota Softball Program within the Athletics Department, the campus community, fundraising efforts, community outreach, the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA membership.
• Perform significant administrative responsibilities, including budget planning and management of assistant coaches and support staff.

15% of time

• Represent the sport program in fulfilling contacts with or requests from the news media, including appearances on radio and television, pre/post-game interviews, public appearances, and public speaking requests.
• Creates an enthusiastic following and support among donors, fans, faculty/staff, and the general student body.
• Actively engage with external communities.

30% of time

• Evaluate and recruit qualified student-athletes to the University of Minnesota whose athletic skills make them highly competitive in the Big Ten Conference.
• Evaluate and recruit qualified student-athletes to the University of Minnesota whose academic abilities make them good candidates for a meaningful academic experience and graduation from the University of Minnesota.
• Assist in advancing the department's vision, commitments and actions identified in our United Are We strategic plan.

30% of Time

• Develop strategy, assess talent of opponents, and determine game plan to successfully compete in the Big Ten Conference and non-conference games.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 3 years of softball coaching experience at the collegiate or national level.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain student-athletes at a high level.
• Demonstrated experience mentoring women.
• Ability to travel extensively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Softball head coaching experience at the collegiate or national level.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate support in the broader softball and university community.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively fundraise to enhance the overall quality of the program.

With more than 140 years of tradition, Gopher Athletics is one of the oldest and most decorated athletics departments in the country. Minnesota was a charter member of the Big Ten Conference. The University of Minnesota sponsors 22 varsity intercollegiate athletic teams and is represented by more than 625 student-athletes who compete in the Big Ten and Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Minnesota has claimed 29 national championships in eight different sports and has won 217 regular-season conference titles and 42 conference tournament championships. Minnesota has also produced 213 Academic All-Americans, which ranks as the tenth most all-time among college and universities. Housed in the historic Dinkytown neighborhood on the northern edge of the University campus, Gopher Athletics is succeeding against a backdrop unique in college athletics, nestled at the heart of a bustling, modern metro area. We are proud of our decorated history, but we are prepared to achieve even greater success in the years to come. Ski-U-Mah!

Pay Range: $160,000 - $187,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, motor vehicle record check and social media check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).