Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.
AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.
We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.
Position Purpose
The Defensive Backs Coach supports the educational mission of Aurora University by providing leadership, organization, and administration of all aspects of the Football program. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, scheduling varsity and junior varsity competitions, developing and managing the program’s operating budget, coordinating team travel, and overseeing day-to-day program operations.
Core Competencies
- Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
- Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. Our singular goal is to empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
- Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
- Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.
Essential Job Functions
- Manages and administers all aspects of the Football program. This includes, but is not limited to, recruiting and teaching/coaching student- athletes, scheduling varsity and junior varsity contests as necessary, developing and managing operating budget, and making team travel arrangements.
- Supervises assigned Assistant Coach(es) to ensure compliance to applicable rules, policies and procedures; provides orientation, training and guidance as needed; conducts performance evaluations.
- Understands and follows NCAA and conference rules and regulations. Follows NCAA rules as outlined in Bylaw 13 in the NCAA Division III Manual. Reports any alleged violations of conference, or institutional rules and regulations.
- Teaching/Coaching
- Keeps informed of contemporary trends, tactics, techniques and strategies in coaching, which includes developing a philosophy of what to teach and how to implement. Provides coaching and direction to assistant coaches, as well as praise and constructive feedback.
- Plans, implements and evaluates practice sessions. Communicates expectations, praise and corrective feedback in a clear and constructive manner.
- Develops effective game plans. Prepares team physically, mentally and emotionally for competition; maintains and meets high expectations for team athletic success.
- Instructs student-athletes on high expectations for academic achievement; monitors the academic progress of student-athletes.
- Instructs student-athletes on high expectations for student-athlete social responsibility and works to develop well-rounded student-athletes.
- Instructs student-athletes on a standard of proper student-athlete conduct, both in and out of the athletic arena and works with the Vice President for Athletics to sanction those who do not meet the set standard.
- Instructs student-athletes on a standard of proper safety. Monitors condition of equipment and facilities, and reports items in need of repair/maintenance to Instructs student-athletes on a standard of proper student-athlete conduct, both in and out of the athletic arena and works with the Vice President for Athletics to sanction those who do not meet the set standard.
- Recruitment of Student-Athletes
- Recruits and retains quality student-athletes and works with the Vice President for Athletics and the Office of Admission to satisfy target squad size numbers and freshmen/transfer recruitment goals. Our goal is typically 15-20 athletes per coach.
- Assists student-athletes and their parents in understanding the educational programs and opportunities at Aurora University as well as the opportunities in the athletic program. Answers questions to aid in the understanding of NCAA Division III rules related to recruitment.
- Oversees selection, purchase and maintenance of team equipment, to include uniforms, athletic equipment and supplies.
- Community Services
- Implementing, Coordinating and directing community service opportunities.
- Prepares and end of season report and assistant coach(es) evaluations by the date designated by the Vice President for Athletics. Schedules and completes an end of the year review meeting with the Vice President for Athletics.
- Maintains records and statistics of team and individual performances. Utilizes the support of the Sports Information Director in collecting the necessary information for archives.
- Maintains self-control and poise; provides an example of sportsmanlike conduct for team members, officials, opponents and spectators.
- Develops and maintains a positive relationship with alumni and interested segments of the university and community.
- Attends athletic department meetings and university community meetings and functions.
- Supports the Football program by carrying out assigned responsibilities
- Handles confidential information with tact and discretion.
- Drives university or rental vehicles as needed for away contests.
- Performs special and/or additional duties as required by the Vice President for Athletics.
Essential Job Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
- Master’s degree preferred.
Experience:
- Minimum of four or more years of relevant experience
Skills:
- Organizational skills and understanding of compliance standards and regulations
- Experience supervising staff
- Excellent verbal and written skills required
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a wide range of constituents: student-athletes, parents, coaches, media, alumni, administrators, support staff, campus community and the community at-large
- Ability to set and achieve or exceed goals and meet deadlines, strong strategic thinking and problem solving abilities
- General computer knowledge
- Strong knowledge of athletics
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to interact verbally in person, over telephone and via written and electronic media.
- Ability to move about campus and other locations
- Evening and weekend availability is required
- Flexibility with an evolving work environment important
Work Hours: Expected equivalent of 40 hours per week, but days/hours may vary as needed. Hybrid or work from home employment will be considered if candidate can demonstrate ability to fulfill this role effectively off-site.
Special Requirements:
- A valid driver's license and driving record which meets institutional requirements is required.
- Requires travel between campus locations or to attend off-site meetings.
The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.
Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.
Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.