Director of Athletics & Head Football Coach

Stillman College•Tuscaloosa, AL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Stillman College, a historically Black institution, is seeking a Director of Athletics & Head Football Coach to provide executive leadership for its intercollegiate athletics program and to build and coach the football program within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). This role is crucial for the College's strategic growth and the re-establishment of its football program. The successful candidate will be responsible for the integrity, compliance, and performance of all varsity programs, while also serving as a key recruiter and culture-shaper for the football team. This position offers a unique opportunity to build a football program from the ground up at an institution with significant cultural importance. The role requires a leader who can embody Stillman's identity as a historically Black, Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college and develop scholar-athletes of character aligned with the NAIA Champions of Character initiative.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of three (3) years of collegiate coaching experience.
Prior experience in intercollegiate athletics administration, or the demonstrated ability to acquire that proficiency quickly.
Working knowledge of NAIA rules and regulations, or the demonstrated ability to acquire that proficiency quickly.
Demonstrated record of successful student-athlete recruitment and retention.
Demonstrated commitment to the academic success and personal development of student-athletes.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to pass a background check consistent with College and NAIA requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Prior head coaching experience at the NAIA, NCAA, or comparable collegiate level.
Prior experience as an athletic director, associate athletic director, or in a comparable athletics administration role.
Experience at a historically Black college or university, or at another faith-affiliated institution.
Established regional or national recruiting network, particularly across Alabama and the Southeast.
Demonstrated success in donor engagement or athletics fundraising.
Experience building or rebuilding a program.

Responsibilities

Provide unified executive leadership for the entire intercollegiate athletics program.
Personally build and coach the football program within the NAIA and its affiliating conference.
Serve as the College's chief athletics executive and a visible ambassador.
Ensure the integrity, compliance, and performance of every varsity program.
Act as the frontline recruiter and culture-shaper for the football program.
Recruit and enroll football's first full signing class, meeting roster needs and contributing to enrollment and occupancy targets.
Establish a unified athletics department structure, budget, and compliance framework.
Assemble, develop, and retain a football coaching staff and support staff.
Evaluate existing coaching leadership across all other sport programs.
Establish NAIA compliance practices for football, including eligibility certification and roster management.
Build an academic support structure for all student-athletes.
Establish the NAIA Champions of Character core values as the operating foundation.
Create game-day traditions and engagement practices to strengthen campus spirit, alumni participation, and community pride.
Partner with the President and Institutional Advancement to build fundraising and donor cultivation.
Establish retention practices for all student-athletes.
Oversee hiring, supervision, and evaluation of head coaches and staff for all sport programs other than football.
Coordinate athletics scheduling, game management, and event operations.
Maintain the department's compliance calendar and reporting obligations.
Serve as an active partner to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management.
Recruit student-athletes who are admissible, retainable, and likely to persist to graduation.
Maintain recruiting pipelines and prospect communication cadences.
Support melt-reduction and yield efforts by maintaining regular contact with committed recruits.
Support the retention of current student-athletes from year to year.
Plan, organize, and administer all aspects of the football program.
Ensure full compliance with NAIA eligibility requirements.
Maintain current knowledge of NAIA bylaws, conference regulations, and institutional policy.
Participate in NAIA Champions of Character program requirements.
Maintain accurate recruiting and eligibility records for the football program.
Ensure the football program and athletics department maintain applicable academic progress and eligibility standards.
Require and monitor participation in study hall, tutoring, and academic advising.
Conduct regular academic progress reviews with the Office of the Registrar and academic support staff.
Partner with Student Affairs and academic support units to ensure student-athletes are integrated into campus life.
Model and enforce the standards of conduct, sportsmanship, and academic integrity.
Use game days, practices, and team traditions to strengthen campus spirit, alumni engagement, and community pride.
Champion a department-wide culture of accountability and service.
Partner with the President and Institutional Advancement on department-wide and football-specific fundraising, donor cultivation, and budget management.
Represent the athletics department and Stillman College at community, alumni, and donor events.
Represent the College professionally with prospective students and their families, alumni, donors, and the media.
Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant football coaches, graduate assistants, and football program support staff.
Provide administrative oversight, mentorship, and evaluation of head coaches across all other sport programs.
Build a department-wide staff culture of accountability, collegiality, and continuous improvement.
Support the professional development of coaching staff across all sports.
Work with Athletic Training staff to ensure that student-athlete health and safety protocols are followed.
Maintain appropriate care of athletic facilities and equipment across all sport programs.
Perform other duties as assigned by the President.