Career Center

Knox College invites applications for the position of Associate Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field programs. This is a 12-month, benefits-eligible position that begins as soon as possible. Salary for this position is competitive. This position reports to the Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach under the direction of the Director of Athletics. The successful candidate will have a focus on supporting student-athlete success and developing a competitive NCAA Division III program.

Knox College provides a competitive salary and a strong benefit package including health, dental, vision and life insurance; access to a retirement plan; a generous paid vacation and holiday package; free membership to our recreation center; and more! Tuition remission is also available after a two-year waiting period. Cross Country and Track & Field at Knox College date back to the 1910’s. Knox won the second-ever Midwest Conference (MWC) Track & Field Championship in 1922 and has won six total. Knox student-athletes have established more than 55 cross country and track and field school records since 2000, won five individual MWC conference meet titles, and claimed more than 40 all-conference medals. The track and field team has produced over 17 NCAA Division III national meet qualifiers, four NCAA All-Americans, and one individual national champion in school history. At present, the track and field team boasts the NCAA DIII record holder in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.17. The Prairie Fire have two scholar-athletes attending the 2022 outdoor NCAA Championships competing in the 100m, 200m, and 400m races. In addition, this past indoor and outdoor season saw our men’s teams post their highest conference finishes since 1994. This is a program on the rise! The cross country and track & field squads will return a solid and quickly improving roster and has a dynamic incoming class. Recruiting nationally, the team consists of student-athletes from all over the country that are poised to move to gain Midwest Conference and national recognition.

Knox College, a member of the Midwest Conference and NCAA Division III, is a vibrant community of scholar-teachers and students with a tradition of free inquiry, independent thought, and diverse perspectives. Knox College is one of the 50 most diverse campuses in America and prides itself on its historic commitment to increase access to all qualified students of varied backgrounds, races, and conditions, regardless of financial means. U.S. News and World Report included Knox as one of its “Best Value Schools” in its 2021 rankings, listing it as #20 among national liberal arts colleges, recognizing academic quality and the price that students pay after receiving need-based scholarships or grants. Knox is also regularly recognized for this historic and transformative mission; Knox has been included in every edition of Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges since the groundbreaking book was first published in 1996. Washington Monthly ranks Knox #40 in the nation for its commitment to the public good, and Forbes regularly includes Knox on its Grateful Grads Index, which rates the top 200 colleges and universities for the success of graduates and the number of alumni that financially support their alma mater.

Knox athletes are scholar-athletes with a focus on achievement in the classroom, on the court or playing field, and as community and campus leaders. Institutional support for enhancing intercollegiate athletics is strong and the K Club booster organization has been very active in recent years with a significant upward trajectory both in engagement and dollars raised the past three years. Gifts to K Club made possible a state-of-the-art golf performance center and converted the College’s grass soccer field to a high-grade synthetic turf. More recently, the athletics department has increased its social media presence, facilitated increased branding of the Prairie Fire facilities, completed a website redesign to capitalize on the department’s increased online audience, installed a new state-of-the-art video scoreboard at Prats Field as well as new scoreboards at Blodgett Baseball Field and the Knox Softball Field, and is currently installing new high-grade synthetic turn at Knosher Bowl. More information about Knox College can be found at www.knox.edu. Information on Knox College Athletics is available at www.prairiefire.knox.edu. Information on the Midwest Conference can be found at http://www.midwestconference.org/.

Responsibilities The associate coach is responsible for assisting and supporting the head coach in all aspects of the the program including but not limited to: assisting with the execution of a successful recruiting and retention plan; assisting with the integration of the program into the campus community; scheduling, planning, and supervising practices and contests as assigned; assisting with the management of the programs’ operating budget and team travel; developing cultural competence within the program; fully supporting Knox College and Prairie Fire athletics department diversity and inclusion initiatives; fundraising, as needed; assisting with the administration of all aspects of the program ensuring compliance with departmental, institutional, Midwest Conference (MWC) and NCAA rules and regulations; assisting with alumni and booster engagement including promotion of program on social media platforms; scouting of opponents additional coaching, and additional teaching, game operations, or administrative duties as assigned. The associate coach will serve as a role model and demonstrate a professional working relationship with student-athletes and College staff. The associate coach must also provide support and encouragement and ensure the safety and well-being of the student-athletes. The associate coach will conduct him/herself with integrity, principles and professionalism and adhere to all department, institution, conference and NCAA rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications The following are the qualifications for this position: ?Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university ?Experience as a collegiate cross country and/or track & field student-athlete OR experience as a high school or college cross country and/or track & field coach ?Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills ?Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and projects ?An appreciation for a residential liberal arts education, respect for individual differences, openness to the values and opinions of others, and flexibility to adapt to constant change. ?This position requires driving a vehicle on behalf of the College; therefore, the Head Coach must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence. Any convictions or change in license status must be self-reported to the Director of Athletics.

The following are the preferred qualifications for this position: ?1 or more years of collegiate cross country and/or track & field recruiting experience ?1 or more years high school or collegiate cross country and/or track & field coaching experience ?Evidence of the ability to plan, organize, and administer training and competition strategies for practice and meet implementation (Design workouts & long-term training plans, race or event strategy) ?Experience coaching multiple events (Jumps, throws, distance, hurdles, mid-distance, etc.) ?Experience with recruiting database Front Rush (or similar database) ?Experience building alumni and fan engagement, fundraising ?Experience with social media and overall promotion of athletics program ?Experience with camps/clinics

Application To apply, send a cover letter, resume including contact information for three references, and complete the Knox College Employment Application by going to the link provided https://knoxhr.bamboohr.com/jobs/ . Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Finalists will be subject to a background check.

Notice of Non-Discrimination In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837, Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition, Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex.

Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College’s policies that prohibit discrimination should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator identified below. The Coordinator will be available to meet with or talk to students, staff, and faculty regarding issues relating to Title IX and this policy.

Qualifications
The following are the qualifications for this position:    

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university
• Experience as a collegiate cross country and/or track & field student-athlete OR experience as a high school or college cross country and/or track & field coach
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and projects
• An appreciation for a residential liberal arts education, respect for individual differences, openness to the values and opinions of others, and flexibility to adapt to constant change.
• This position requires driving a vehicle on behalf of the College; therefore, the Head Coach must possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence. Any convictions or change in license status must be self-reported to the Director of Athletics.

 

 

The following are the preferred qualifications for this position:

• 1 or more years of collegiate cross country and/or track & field recruiting experience
• 1 or more years high school or collegiate cross country and/or track & field coaching experience
• Evidence of the ability to plan, organize, and administer training and competition strategies for practice and meet implementation (Design workouts & long-term training plans, race or event strategy)
• Experience coaching multiple events (Jumps, throws, distance, hurdles, mid-distance, etc.)
• Experience with recruiting database Front Rush (or similar database)
• Experience building alumni and fan engagement, fundraising
• Experience with social media and overall promotion of athletics program
• Experience with camps/clinics