Head Football Coach- Varsity

KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 285 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org

The Opportunity 

The Head Football Coach is responsible for leading our high school student football team. That includes all aspects of the athletics program, such as recruiting within the school, scheduling opponents (in conjunction with Athletics and Wellness Coordinator), and selecting, training, and coaching all members of the team. The Head Football Coach must model individual character, team leadership, and a commitment to the academic success of our student athletes at all times. They also are in charge of building, leading, and developing their coaching staff. 

The Head Coach is required to abide by all OHSAA rules and regulations as well as the character and learning environment standards of KIPP Columbus.

Key responsibilities include the following: 

Coaching 

• Use a variety of instructional techniques and multimedia to meet the needs and improve the abilities of student athletes in the sport assigned. 

• Manage and supervise athletic activities, contests, and practice sessions to promote individual growth in athletic skills, teamwork, discipline, respect, and good sportsmanship. 

• Establish performance criteria for competition and evaluate students’ athletic abilities regularly 

• Annually establish and meet performance goals with the Athletics and Wellness Coordinator 

• Coordinating sports tryouts and assigning individuals to proper and fitting positions on the team 

Student Development 

• Work with other members of school staff to plan and put in place instructional goals and objectives to ensure the overall educational development of student athletes. 

• Monitor and enforce student eligibility criteria for extracurricular participation 

• Instruct and advise students on NCAA regulations with regard to academic requirements for scholarships and recruiting practices. 

• Align with and maintain KIPP’s learning environment standards for behavior and conduct during athletic contests, practice sessions, and while on trips off school property 

Team Leadership 

• Work with the Athletics and Wellness Coordinator to schedule competitions and coordinate logistics. 

• Ensures that all coaches work together and always operate in the best interests of the student athletes 

• Establish and maintain open communication with families, students, School Leader, teachers, and the Athletics and Wellness Coordinator 

• Attends league and district meetings. 

• Draft and send regular communications to families including updates, meetings, banquets, etc. 

Student Safety and Operations 

• Take all necessary precautions to protect student athletes, equipment, materials, and facilities 

• Accompany and supervise student athletes during competitions in assigned sports on out-of-town trips. 

• Maintains, files, and copies of all pertinent materials, eligibility forms, transfer forms, grade reports, and ensures that OHSAA and KIPP Columbus guidelines are followed 

• Encourage sportsmanlike conduct in all phases of athletic participation 

• Maintain a current inventory of all uniforms and equipment within program 

• Oversee process of cleaning, repairing, and storing all campus athletic equipment 

General 

• Do whatever it takes for our students and team to be successful 

• Participate in staff meetings, professional development, as appropriate 

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Athletics and Wellness Coordinator

Qualities 

The ideal candidate will possess a strong set of leadership and character strengths, including: 

• Integrity—Does not take shortcuts. Earns trust and confidence. Speaks plainly and truthfully.

• Follow through—Lives up to verbal and written agreements, regardless of personal cost.

• Listening—Lets others speak and seeks to understand their viewpoints. 

• Proactivity—Acts without being told what to do. Brings new ideas to problems. 

• Efficiency—Able to produce significant output with minimal wasted effort. 

The following are required of all applicants: 

• Successful participation in a similar activity in high school and/or college. 

• Minimum of three years of successful past coaching experience at the middle, high, or college level Demonstrated ability to organize and implement programs 

• Excellent organizational and communication skills 

• Possess a valid Ohio Department of Education Pupil Activity Permit 

• Complete all required Health and Safety trainings and certifications to be eligible to coach in Ohio

Stipend 

KIPP Columbus offers a paid stipend at the successful conclusion of the season.

Statement of Non-Disclosure 

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.