Head Cross Country Coach

Institution: Johnson University
Location: Knoxville, TN
Position Type: Part-Time with possibility of Full-Time with additional department responsibilities
Level: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Position Overview

Johnson University invites applications for the position of Head Cross Country Coach. This role is a key leadership position within the athletics department, responsible for developing a competitive and values-driven men’s and women’s cross country program that aligns with the university’s mission.

Athletics Mission Statement
To use athletics as a vehicle for academic, personal, and spiritual development

Athletic Vision Statement
To build a first-rate athletic program that works toward building wholeness

Key Responsibilities

  • Program Leadership: Provide vision, direction, and oversight for all aspects of the swim program to achieve excellence in competition, academics, and character development.
  • Athlete Development: Recruit, mentor, and develop student-athletes to achieve their highest potential in and out of the pool.
  • Training & Competition: Design and implement comprehensive training programs, practice schedules, and competition strategies to maximize team performance.
  • Recruitment: Recruit student-athletes who embody strong character, academic focus, and athletic talent while ensuring compliance with NAIA regulations.
  • Compliance & Administration: Manage all aspects of the swim program, including budgets, scheduling, equipment, and adherence to NAIA, conference, and institutional policies.
  • Community Engagement: Serve as a positive representative of Johnson University, building relationships with the local and broader swimming community and promoting the program.
  • Academic, Spiritual & Personal Growth: Foster a team culture that emphasizes academic success, personal accountability, spiritual formation, and leadership development among student-athletes.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
  • Proven coaching experience, preferably at the collegiate level.
  • Extensive knowledge of swimming techniques, training methodologies, and competition strategies.
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit and develop student-athletes.
  • Commitment to Johnson University’s mission and values, emphasizing holistic development of student-athletes.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with NAIA compliance and regulations.
  • Track record of building successful swim programs with a focus on academic and athletic achievement.
  • Ability to integrate Christian principles and values into coaching practices.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following to Human Resources:

  1. A cover letter outlining your coaching philosophy and alignment with Johnson University’s mission.
  2. A current resume or CV.
  3. Contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately.

Equal Employment Opportunity Provider

Johnson University is a Christian university affiliated with Christian churches and churches of Christ. Its mission is to educate students for “Christian ministries and other strategic vocations framed by the Great Commission in order to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.” Accordingly, Johnson University seeks to hire and educate individuals who share its vision and core values to carry out that mission. Johnson University does not unlawfully discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment practices.

Johnson University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or disability–if such disability may be accommodated without undue hardship—in provision of educational opportunities, programs and activities, or employment opportunities and benefits, pursuant to the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent amendments to that act, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and subsequent re-authorization of that act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and subsequent amendments to that act.

The University, however, reserves the right under those provisions to make certain employment decisions based on religion, marital status, or sex consistent with the University’s religious beliefs when establishing qualifications for certain positions. Further, as a Christian ministry, the University retains the right to select those who serve in ministerial positions, as that term has been defined by the courts in the context of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, based on criteria established by the University without regard to Title VII, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law governing the employment relationship.