HS Cross County

Monument Academy • Colorado Springs, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Varsity Head Coach is responsible for leading, organizing, and developing a positive and competitive middle school athletic program. This role focuses on teaching fundamental skills, teamwork, sportsmanship, and character while creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment for student-athletes. The Head Coach works closely with the Athletic Director, school administration, staff, students, and families to support the overall mission of the school. Head Varsity Cross Country Coach � Key Responsibilities Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the varsity cross country program in alignment with the school's mission, values, and athletic philosophy. Develop and implement a comprehensive training program that promotes athlete development, conditioning, endurance, injury prevention, and competitive excellence. Foster a positive team culture built on integrity, sportsmanship, accountability, leadership, and respect. Supervise and mentor assistant coaches while maintaining clear communication and consistent expectations throughout the program. Collaborate with the middle school coaching staff to develop a strong feeder program and ensure continuity across all grade levels. Organize and conduct safe, effective daily practices and prepare athletes for league, regional, and state competition. Monitor student-athlete academic progress and support school eligibility requirements. Maintain regular communication with athletes, parents, administration, and the Athletic Director regarding schedules, expectations, and program updates. Ensure compliance with all school policies and applicable athletic association rules and regulations. Coordinate meet entries, travel arrangements, uniforms, equipment, and team logistics in partnership with the Athletic Department. Promote athlete health and safety by emphasizing proper training techniques, hydration, nutrition, and injury prevention. Maintain accurate inventories of uniforms and equipment while ensuring proper care and storage. Assist with budgeting and provide recommendations for equipment and program needs. Encourage and support multi-sport participation when appropriate while working collaboratively with other coaches. Represent the school with professionalism and model exemplary character both on and off the course. Participate in coaches' meetings, professional development opportunities, and required school events. Build positive relationships within the school and community to promote and grow the cross country program. Support offseason conditioning opportunities and encourage year-round athlete development consistent with school and athletic department guidelines. Perform other coaching and supervisory duties as assigned by the Athletic Director. Player Evaluation and Development: Support head coach in assessing players' progress, tracking performance statistics, and providing individualized feedback to help players improve their skills and reach their full potential. Compliance and Safety: Ensuring adherence to all relevant rules, regulations, and safety protocols established by the governing bodies and the organization. Promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all team members.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent (Bachelor's degree preferred).
• Previous coaching experience in cross country, track and field, or distance running.
• Demonstrated knowledge of endurance training, race strategy, conditioning, and injury prevention.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certification (or willingness to obtain before the season begins).
• Ability to successfully complete all state, district, and school-required background checks and coaching certifications.
• Knowledge of and commitment to all school policies and applicable athletic association rules and regulations.
• Availability to attend practices, meets, team events, and offseason activities as required.

Nice To Haves

• Head coaching experience at the high school or collegiate level.
• Experience developing and growing a successful cross country program.
• Experience mentoring assistant coaches and building positive team culture.
• Background in track and field distance events is preferred.
• Strong understanding of athlete development and long-term training progression.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and inspire student-athletes to reach their full potential.
• Strong commitment to character development, sportsmanship, and academic excellence.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills in competitive and practice environments.
• Ability to build positive relationships with athletes, parents, staff, officials, and the community.
• Strong planning and time-management skills to coordinate practices, competitions, travel, and team logistics.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive, positive, and Christ-like culture of respect, accountability, and teamwork.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with the Athletic Director and fellow coaches to advance the overall athletic program.
• Proficiency with technology for communication, scheduling, and athlete management platforms (e.g., TeamSnap One, Google Workspace, and other school communication tools).
• Passion for developing student-athletes both athletically and personally while representing the school with integrity and professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of the varsity cross country program in alignment with the school's mission, values, and athletic philosophy.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive training program that promotes athlete development, conditioning, endurance, injury prevention, and competitive excellence.
• Foster a positive team culture built on integrity, sportsmanship, accountability, leadership, and respect.
• Supervise and mentor assistant coaches while maintaining clear communication and consistent expectations throughout the program.
• Collaborate with the middle school coaching staff to develop a strong feeder program and ensure continuity across all grade levels.
• Organize and conduct safe, effective daily practices and prepare athletes for league, regional, and state competition.
• Monitor student-athlete academic progress and support school eligibility requirements.
• Maintain regular communication with athletes, parents, administration, and the Athletic Director regarding schedules, expectations, and program updates.
• Ensure compliance with all school policies and applicable athletic association rules and regulations.
• Coordinate meet entries, travel arrangements, uniforms, equipment, and team logistics in partnership with the Athletic Department.
• Promote athlete health and safety by emphasizing proper training techniques, hydration, nutrition, and injury prevention.
• Maintain accurate inventories of uniforms and equipment while ensuring proper care and storage.
• Assist with budgeting and provide recommendations for equipment and program needs.
• Encourage and support multi-sport participation when appropriate while working collaboratively with other coaches.
• Represent the school with professionalism and model exemplary character both on and off the course.
• Participate in coaches' meetings, professional development opportunities, and required school events.
• Build positive relationships within the school and community to promote and grow the cross country program.
• Support offseason conditioning opportunities and encourage year-round athlete development consistent with school and athletic department guidelines.
• Perform other coaching and supervisory duties as assigned by the Athletic Director.
• Support head coach in assessing players' progress, tracking performance statistics, and providing individualized feedback to help players improve their skills and reach their full potential.
• Ensuring adherence to all relevant rules, regulations, and safety protocols established by the governing bodies and the organization.
• Promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all team members.
• Track the academic progress and eligibility of team members, emphasizing that they are "students first".
• Foster a disciplined, inclusive environment that promotes sportsmanship and team unity.
• Direct and mentor assistant or junior varsity coaches to ensure a consistent pipeline of athlete development.

Benefits

• Stipened Amount Varies

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level