Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Women's Lacrosse

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Department: Intercollegiate Athletics

Classification: Professional Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

Works with Minors check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason Athletics unites communities by developing champions with a mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports. Mason Athletics serves 500 student-athletes in 22 NCAA Division I sports. We are a proud member of the Atlantic 10 Conference with over 20 Conference Championships, NCAA Championships in Women's Soccer and Men's Indoor Track, an NCAA appearance in Women's Basketball, and an NCAA Final Four appearance with Men's Basketball, and over 30 individual National Champions. We are student-focused, education-centered, and committed to providing transformational experiences for our student-athletes and staff. Our five priorities are Student-Athlete Experience, Competition, Resources, Storytelling & Engagement, and Championship Culture.

About the Position:

The primary role of this position is to provide teaching, coaching and technical expertise needed to allow the student-athlete to compete at their highest competitive potential with a primary focus on the defensive unit. Additionally, it is also a primary responsibility of the incumbent to be cognitive to all coaching and/or teaching duties associated with the program and that are required at the Division I level. This is to include but not be limited to the oversight and management of the safety and well-being of those student athletes assigned to their coaching care. In the absence of the Head Coach, incumbent is expected to act on behalf of the Head Coach on all related program issues. The Assistant Coach will assist the Head Coach in all aspects of a highly competitive Division I program.

Responsibilities:

Teaching and Coaching

• Utilizes sound teaching techniques in the conduct of game preparation and practice sessions for the defensive unit;
• Assists in making strategic decisions in contest situations specifically relating to defensive unit;
• Effectively prepares and organizes pre-season, in-season and post-season practice and skill sessions for defensive unit and full team concepts;
• Assists the Head Coach in the evaluation of current student-athletes and prospective student athletes throughout the academic year and permissible recruiting dates; and
• Be aware and maintains a safe and healthy environment for the student-athletes.

Department, University, Conference and NCAA Compliance

• Abides by and promotes the aims, goals, and objectives established by the Athletic Director and Head Coach;
• Abides by and promotes the policies, guidelines, rules, regulations and criteria established by the Athletic Director and Head Coach for the student-athlete;
• Knows, understands and assures that the student-athletes abide by all the University, Atlantic 10, and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Rules and Regulations;
• Knows, understands and abides by all University, A10 and NCAA Rules and Regulations;
• Be aware and abides by the rules of confidentiality (Buckley Amendment);
• Understands and abides by proper procedures of due process in dealing with the student-athlete and staff;
• Follows the administrative procedures established by the University and written up in the Department Staff Handbook;
• Assists Head Coach in developing and implementing the overall recruiting strategy to effectively recruit the best student-athlete within the admissions, financial and regulatory constraints established by the University, A10, and NCAA; and
• Completes other duties as assigned by the supervisor and or Athletic Director.

Act as Team Liaison to

• Equipment Room staff for placing yearly orders, monitor and control all team equipment;
• Business Office for purchasing oversight;
• Head Coach on program daily;
• Travel office on team travel (meals, hotel, etc.) and recruiting trips; and
• Athletic Academic Advisor to closely monitor study hall hours and monthly grade checks.

Participate and assist Head Coach in fundraising efforts and special events for program, department and university

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree, or combination of Bachelors degree and applicable experience which is equal to a masters degree;
• Must have previous coaching at collegiate level or have competed as a student athlete at the Division I level;
• Ability to have a flexible schedule due to travel, recruiting, etc;
• Skill of coaching both big picture and small sided skill related to defensive schematics as well as game planning and fundamental skills;
• Knowledge of NCAA Women's Lacrosse rules / landscape;
• Ability to work well with others;
• Ability to work well under pressure/stress;
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently;
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver's licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review; and
• Active CPR, First Aid and AED Certifications, or the ability to obtain required certifications upon employment with the University.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related field;
• Previous collegiate coaching experience as an assistant coach, defensive coordinator or associate head coach; and
• Knowledge, skill, abilities and other attributes gained from previous collegiate coaching experiences specific to the Division I level. If no prior Division I coaching experience, it is preferred applicant previously competed at that level.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Women's Lacrosse at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: May 18, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: June 5, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes