Girls' Basketball Head Coach - Soldiers Memorial Middle School

Job Description

Job Description

A girls' middle school basketball head coach in Tennessee is responsible for leading a program to develop student athletes' skills, sportsmanship, and academic success. The role is governed by the Tennessee Middle School Athletic Association (TMSAA), a division of the TSSAA.

Core Responsibilities

• Skill & Strategy Development: Design and lead daily practices focused on basketball fundamentals (dribbling, shooting, passing) and team strategies.
• Team Management: Conduct fair tryouts, assess player skills, assign team positions, and oversee assistant or volunteer coaches.
• Game-Day Operations: Manage home and away game logistics, determine in-game strategies, and ensure the safety of all student-athletes until they are picked up by guardians.
• Compliance & Record-Keeping: Maintain accurate records of student eligibility, physical exams, medical forms, and equipment/uniform inventories.
• Student Mentorship: Monitor the academic performance and classroom behavior of team members to ensure they meet school and TMSAA eligibility standards.
• Professional Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with the Principal, Athletic Director, parents, and local media.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Education: Minimum of a high school diploma or GED; many districts prefer or require a Bachelor's degree for faculty positions.
• TSSAA Coaching Categories: Coaches must fall into one of the following official categories:
  • Full-Time Certified Teacher: Licensed Tennessee educator.
  • Retired Educator: Five or more years of teaching experience with a valid license.
  • Non-Faculty Coach: An individual approved by the local board of education.
  • Classified Employee: A non-licensed school employee working at least 30 hours per week.
• Certifications:
  • NFHS Training: Non-faculty and classified coaches must complete the NFHS "Fundamentals of Coaching" and "First Aid, Health, and Safety for Coaches" courses.
  • CPR/AED/First Aid: Valid certification is mandatory.
  • Annual Rules Meetings: Completion of the TSSAA mandatory rules meeting for basketball.
• Clearances: Must pass a TBI/FBI criminal background check and fingerprinting.

Key Skills

• Technical Knowledge: Deep understanding of TMSAA basketball regulations, including middle school-specific rules like the 25-point continuous clock.
• Youth Development: Ability to motivate and discipline adolescent athletes while fostering a positive, inclusive team culture.
• Physical Stamina: Capability to perform active coaching duties, including lifting equipment up to 50 lbs and frequent movement on the court.