Head Softball Coach

CSU Careers • Bakersfield, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Head Softball Coach will provide a clear vision for the program that is consistent with the traditions and mission of the University and the Athletics Department. This position reports directly to an executive-level administrator/sport supervisor, and will be responsible to develop, direct and manage a softball program competing at the NCAA Division 1 Level in the Big West Conference. The Head Coach is responsible for all program components including, but not limited to, planning, organizing, recruiting, budgeting, and scheduling. In addition, the duties include fundraising, developing camps and clinics, assisting in the promotion of the athletic program and the university, and other responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, from an accredited institution of higher education, and four (4) or more years of work experience coaching collegiate softball.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting prospective softball student-athletes in a collegiate setting.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills to interact with a large variety of constituents.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and sustain a Division I Softball program with competitive integrity, operational discipline, and a clear developmental philosophy.
• Proven success recruiting, developing, and retaining academically and athletically qualified student-athletes within a highly regulated NCAA environment.
• Strong working knowledge of NCAA, Conference, and institutional regulations, with a record of sound judgment, proactive compliance, and effective collaboration with compliance staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to student-athlete academic success, including monitoring eligibility, progress-toward-degree, retention, and Academic Progress Rate (APR) outcomes.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive, inclusive, and high-accountability team culture that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Effective leadership and management skills, including the ability to recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant coaches and support staff.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to represent the program and California State University, Bakersfield professionally to internal and external stakeholders, including media, donors, alumni, and the campus community.
• Demonstrated organizational and operational effectiveness, including program planning, budget management, scheduling, travel logistics, and day-to-day program administration.
• Ability to use data and performance metrics to inform coaching decisions, recruiting strategy, academic monitoring, and long-term program assessment.
• Willingness and capacity to meet the time demands of a Division I head coaching role, including evenings, weekends, extensive travel, and occasional holidays.
• US residence and proof of eligibility to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree
• Experience coaching collegiate softball at the NCAA Division I level, with a demonstrated record of competitive success
• Experience recruiting NCAA Division I student-athletes
• Previous head coaching experience
• Experience developing student-athletes competitively and academically

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, management, and administration for the Softball program at California State University, Bakersfield.
• Establish, articulate, and execute a clear vision and strategic plan for the program that aligns with the mission, values, and competitive goals of the Department of Athletics and the University.
• Represent the Softball program internally and externally, including with faculty and staff, admissions, student services, alumni, donors, parents, fans, and the Bakersfield community.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and student-centered team culture that emphasizes leadership development, sportsmanship, accountability, and competitive excellence.
• Stay informed of and apply current best practices, trends, techniques, and strategies in Softball instruction, training, and competition.
• Plan, organize, and conduct effective practices and competitions, utilizing sound coaching, teaching, and performance-enhancement methodologies.
• Teach and develop sport-specific skills and strategies that enhance student-athlete performance, preparation, and long-term development.
• Collaborate with strength and conditioning staff, athletic training staff, team physicians, and sport performance personnel to support the physical development, health, and safety of student-athletes.
• Promote academic excellence by supporting student-athlete retention, progress toward degree, graduation rates, and Academic Progress Rate (APR) outcomes.
• Serve as a professional representative of the University in all public-facing interactions, including media engagements and community outreach activities.
• Allocate and manage athletic scholarships effectively and equitably in compliance with NCAA regulations and departmental guidelines.
• Utilize data and analytics to inform program decision-making related to performance, training loads, competition strategy, recruiting, and roster management.
• Monitor and assess academic metrics, including Academic Progress Rate (APR), retention, eligibility status, and graduation outcomes, in collaboration with academic support staff.
• Apply recruiting metrics and evaluation tools to identify, assess, and prioritize prospective student-athletes who align with the program’s competitive and academic goals.
• Engage in continuous program evaluation using quantitative and qualitative data to assess outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and support long-term strategic planning.
• Collaborate with department leadership to provide accurate data, reports, and assessments as needed for planning, compliance, and evaluation purposes.
• Develop, administer, and manage the Softball program budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and adherence to allocated resources.
• Oversee team travel, scheduling, equipment procurement, and operational logistics in coordination with department administration.
• Monitor expenditures to ensure the program operates within approved budget parameters.
• Participate in fundraising, donor engagement, and revenue-generation activities in support of the program and department priorities.
• Direct and operate the Softball program in full compliance with all applicable University, Conference, and National Collegiate Athletic Association rules and regulations.
• Maintain current knowledge of NCAA, Conference, and institutional bylaws, interpretations, and policies, and ensure program-wide compliance.
• Work collaboratively with the Athletics Compliance Office to monitor eligibility, recruiting activities, financial aid, CARA, and related reporting requirements.
• Uphold University standards regarding ethical conduct, professionalism, and institutional representation in all public statements and actions.
• Recruit, identify, and enroll academically and athletically qualified student-athletes in accordance with institutional recruiting strategies and NCAA regulations.
• Monitor and support student-athlete academic progress in collaboration with academic advising and student support services.
• Establish, communicate, and enforce team standards, expectations, and discipline consistent with departmental policies, University codes of conduct, and NCAA rules.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, develop, and evaluate assistant coaches and support staff, ensuring compliance with all governing regulations.
• Promote the holistic development of student-athletes, emphasizing leadership, academic achievement, personal growth, and full engagement in the campus community.
• Prioritize student-athlete well-being, health, safety, and overall welfare at all times.
• Prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of student-athletes by adhering to best practices in risk management, injury prevention, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure compliance with University, Conference, and NCAA policies related to health and safety, including concussion management, return-to-play protocols, and aquatic safety standards.
• Coordinate with athletic training staff, sport performance personnel, and Athletics facility staff to implement safe practice and competition environments.
• Maintain familiarity with emergency action plans (EAPs) for practices, competitions, and travel, and ensure staff and student-athletes are trained and prepared to respond appropriately.
• Report injuries, incidents, and safety concerns in a timely and accurate manner consistent with institutional and NCAA requirements.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with Title IX regulations and institutional policies related to gender equity, nondiscrimination, and sexual misconduct prevention.
• Support and reinforce a team environment that promotes safety, respect, and accountability, including mandatory education related to sexual harassment, sexual violence, and reporting obligations.
• Collaborate with Athletics Administration and University partners to address Title IX concerns promptly, professionally, and in accordance with established protocols.

Benefits

• The salary range for this classification is $6,538–$11,642, in accordance with the CSU Unit 3 salary schedule. Anticipated Hiring Range: $7,830 - $10,145 monthly. Actual salary is commensurate with education and experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level