Assistant Debate Coach

McKendree University; Lebanon (IL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

McKendree University seeks an Assistant Debate Coach to support the Speech and Debate program through coaching, student prep, recruitment, travel, and event assistance. Reports to Director of Speech and Debate and collaborates with Head Coach of Debate to foster student development and competitive readiness.

The role involves mentoring students, assisting with practices, attending competitions, and helping with travel logistics and program activities while upholding university policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• 2 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate.
• Master’s Degree in Communication or related field (preferred).
• 5 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Assist with student coaching and preparation, practices, and performance reviews.
• Support recruitment activities and communicate with prospective students and schools.
• Attend and judge competitions; help with travel logistics and expense documentation.
• Ensure students represent the University professionally and adhere to policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Speech and Debate.

Skills

Coaching

Communication

Mentoring

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

Master’s Degree in Communication or related field

Job description

The Assistant Debate Coach supports the McKendree University Speech and Debate program through coaching, student preparation, recruitment support, competition travel, and assistance with program activities. The position works under the direction of the Director of Speech and Debate and in collaboration with the Head Coach of Debate to support student development, competitive preparation, and the University’s recruitment, retention, and student engagement goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Debate Coaching and Student Support

• Assist with student coaching and preparation, including practices, research review, performance evaluation, ballot review, competition preparation, and student support.
• Provide individual or group coaching in speech and/or debate based on program needs and assigned areas of expertise.
• Support a team culture that reflects professionalism, student learning, responsible citizenship, academic engagement, and appropriate standards of conduct.
• Assist the Director of Speech and Debate and Head Coach of Debate with student preparation, team activities, and program operations as assigned.

Recruiting and Program Visibility

• Assist with recruitment of prospective students who have experience or interest in speech and/or debate.
• Attend high school competitions, campus activities, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and related programs as assigned to support recruitment and program visibility.
• Communicate with prospective students, families, and high school coaches as assigned by the Director of Speech and Debate.
• Support campus visits, recruitment events, follow-up communication, and other recruitment activities in coordination with the Director of Speech and Debate.

Competition Travel and Program Support

• Attend and judge intercollegiate speech and debate competitions as assigned.
• Assist with competition travel logistics, including registration, lodging, transportation, meals, travel documentation, and related details as directed.
• Submit appropriate receipts, forms, and expense documentation in accordance with University procedures.
• Assist with University-hosted competitions, workshops, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and other speech and debate activities as assigned.

Student Support, Policy Compliance, and Professional Expectations

• Ensure students represent McKendree University appropriately during practices, competitions, travel, hosted events, and related program activities.
• Follow University policies, travel expectations, budget procedures, and student conduct expectations.
• Maintain professional and technical competency through engagement with speech and debate practices, trends, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.

Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
• 2 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, as a competitor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to coach, mentor, and support undergraduate students.
• Familiarity with intercollegiate speech and/or debate competition.
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and in large groups.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, coaches, volunteers, high school partners, Admission, Student Affairs, and other University offices.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and uphold appropriate boundaries with students.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as file sharing, communication, and conferencing software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in Communication or related field.
• 5 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, including experience as a competitor and/or as a coach.
• Experience with speech and/or debate coaching, competition operations, recruitment, student programming, or high school speech and debate outreach.

• Part-time position with irregular business hours to coincide with student availability, coaching sessions, recruitment activities, hosted events, and competition travel.
• Evening and weekend work required.
• Competition travel, including coaching and judging, for approximately 10–12 weekends each year.