Boys Varsity Hockey Head Coach

EXVAL; Hopkins (MN); On-site; USD 6,000 - 9,000; Full time

Job summary

Hopkins High School in Hopkins, MN, seeks a Boys Varsity Hockey Head Coach to lead the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program, focusing on student‑athlete development, academics, sportsmanship, teamwork, and a positive team culture.

The Head Coach will oversee the varsity program, collaborate with assistant and lower‑level coaches, recruit and develop student‑athletes, coordinate schedules and logistics, and ensure alignment with district policies and MSHSL rules.

Qualifications

• Previous hockey coaching and/or competitive playing experience.
• Strong knowledge of hockey fundamentals, strategies, systems, rules, and player development.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, motivate, teach, and develop high school student‑athletes.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with student‑athletes, families, coaching staff, school personnel, and community members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Hopkins Athletics/Activities Department.
• Commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate experience for student‑athletes.
• Must meet all Hopkins Public Schools employment, background‑check, and coaching requirements.
• Must complete all required Minnesota State High School League coaching education, certifications, and training.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, organization, and direction for the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.
• Plan and conduct effective practices that develop individual skills, team concepts, hockey IQ, conditioning, and overall competitive performance.
• Develop game strategies, systems, line combinations, and other competitive plans appropriate for the team.
• Provide instruction and constructive feedback to support the development of all student‑athletes.
• Establish a positive team culture emphasizing accountability, commitment, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect.
• Establish and communicate clear expectations regarding attendance, academics, behavior, effort, and team responsibilities.
• Promote the academic success and overall well‑being of student‑athletes.
• Supervise student‑athletes during practices, games, team travel, locker‑room activities, and other program events.
• Provide leadership and direction to assistant coaches and ensure consistency in coaching philosophy and program expectations.
• Coordinate with lower‑level coaches to establish continuity and development throughout the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.
• Assist with the recruitment and development of student‑athletes within Hopkins Public Schools in accordance with district and MSHSL rules.
• Collaborate with youth hockey programs and community partners, when appropriate, to support long‑term program development.
• Coordinate team schedules, practices, transportation, equipment, uniforms, and other program logistics in collaboration with the Athletics/Activities Department.
• Maintain appropriate inventory and care of school‑issued equipment, uniforms, and supplies.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with student‑athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, school staff, administrators, officials, and community members.
• Participate in parent/player meetings, coaches meetings, awards programs, and other required program activities.
• Support fundraising, community engagement, youth development, and other activities that strengthen the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.
• Promote and maintain appropriate standards for locker‑room behavior, team travel, social media, and representation of Hopkins High School.
• Follow and enforce all Hopkins Public Schools policies, Athletics/Activities Department procedures, conference requirements, and Minnesota State High School League rules and regulations.
• Ensure student‑athlete safety and follow appropriate procedures regarding injuries, emergency situations, and return‑to‑play protocols.
• Represent Hopkins High School and Hopkins Public Schools professionally at all practices, games, meetings, and community events.
• Perform other duties related to the boys hockey program as assigned by the Athletic Director.

Job description

At Hopkins Public Schools, we believe that our strength lies in the diversity of our students, staff, and community. We are a proudly inclusive E-12 district serving approximately 7,200 students across the City of Hopkins and surrounding communities. Our district represents a rich mosaic of cultures, backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences; we value and celebrate that diversity in everything we do. As an academically rigorous and human-centered district, we are committed to fostering a welcoming environment where every student and staff member feels seen, heard, and valued. There is no "typical" Hopkins student, and we embrace this truth as a catalyst for innovation, growth, and equity in learning.

We seek educators and staff who are equity-minded, culturally responsive, and deeply committed to creating inclusive spaces where all learners can thrive.

We welcome candidates who are passionate about dismantling systemic barriers, advancing justice, and preparing students to become bold, collaborative, and compassionate global citizens. When you join Hopkins Public Schools, you are not just joining a district, you are becoming part of a community that honors difference, nurtures potential, and inspires remarkable achievement in every learner, from birth through graduation.

You are welcome at Hopkins. You belong at Hopkins.

SUMMARY:

Hopkins High School is seeking a qualified, motivated, and student-centered Boys Varsity Hockey Head Coach to provide leadership and direction for the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.

The Head Coach is responsible for developing and maintaining a competitive high school hockey program that prioritizes student‑athlete development, academic success, sportsmanship, teamwork, character, and a positive team culture. The Head Coach will oversee all aspects of the varsity program while providing leadership and program alignment throughout the boys hockey program.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong hockey knowledge, leadership ability, communication skills, and a commitment to representing Hopkins High School and Hopkins Public Schools in a positive and professional manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, organization, and direction for the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.
• Plan and conduct effective practices that develop individual skills, team concepts, hockey IQ, conditioning, and overall competitive performance.
• Develop game strategies, systems, line combinations, and other competitive plans appropriate for the team.
• Provide instruction and constructive feedback to support the development of all student‑athletes.
• Establish a positive team culture emphasizing accountability, commitment, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect.
• Establish and communicate clear expectations regarding attendance, academics, behavior, effort, and team responsibilities.
• Promote the academic success and overall well‑being of student‑athletes.
• Supervise student‑athletes during practices, games, team travel, locker‑room activities, and other program events.
• Provide leadership and direction to assistant coaches and ensure consistency in coaching philosophy and program expectations.
• Coordinate with lower‑level coaches to establish continuity and development throughout the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.
• Assist with the recruitment and development of student‑athletes within Hopkins Public Schools in accordance with district and MSHSL rules.
• Collaborate with youth hockey programs and community partners, when appropriate, to support long‑term program development.
• Coordinate team schedules, practices, transportation, equipment, uniforms, and other program logistics in collaboration with the Athletics/Activities Department.
• Maintain appropriate inventory and care of school‑issued equipment, uniforms, and supplies.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with student‑athletes, parents/guardians, coaches, school staff, administrators, officials, and community members.
• Participate in parent/player meetings, coaches meetings, awards programs, and other required program activities.
• Support fundraising, community engagement, youth development, and other activities that strengthen the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program.
• Promote and maintain appropriate standards for locker‑room behavior, team travel, social media, and representation of Hopkins High School.
• Follow and enforce all Hopkins Public Schools policies, Athletics/Activities Department procedures, conference requirements, and Minnesota State High School League rules and regulations.
• Ensure student‑athlete safety and follow appropriate procedures regarding injuries, emergency situations, and return‑to‑play protocols.
• Represent Hopkins High School and Hopkins Public Schools professionally at all practices, games, meetings, and community events.
• Perform other duties related to the boys hockey program as assigned by the Athletic Director.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Previous hockey coaching and/or competitive playing experience.
• Strong knowledge of hockey fundamentals, strategies, systems, rules, and player development.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead, motivate, teach, and develop high school student‑athletes.
• Strong communication, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with student‑athletes, families, coaching staff, school personnel, and community members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Hopkins Athletics/Activities Department.
• Commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate experience for student‑athletes.
• Must meet all Hopkins Public Schools employment, background‑check, and coaching requirements.
• Must complete all required Minnesota State High School League coaching education, certifications, and training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous varsity‑level high school hockey coaching experience.
• Previous experience as a head coach or in a significant leadership role within a hockey program.
• Experience developing and supervising assistant coaches.
• Demonstrated experience building positive team culture and developing student‑athletes.
• Experience working within an education‑based athletics program.
• Knowledge of Minnesota high school hockey and MSHSL rules and expectations.
• Experience developing relationships with youth hockey programs and community organizations.

The Boys Varsity Hockey Head Coach serves as the leader of the Hopkins Boys Hockey Program and is expected to establish a clear vision for the program's culture, development, and competitive approach.

The Head Coach will work collaboratively with assistant and lower‑level coaches to create consistency throughout the program. Emphasis should be placed on developing student‑athletes both on and off the ice and creating a program in which students are proud to represent Hopkins High School.

The Head Coach is also expected to support the long‑term growth and sustainability of Hopkins Boys Hockey by developing relationships with families, youth programs, alumni, school staff, and the Hopkins community.

Time Commitment

The position requires availability throughout the boys hockey season for practices, games, tournaments, meetings, team activities, and other scheduled events. Evening and weekend availability is required.

Additional responsibilities may occur outside of the traditional season for program planning, player development, coaching meetings, fundraising, community engagement, and other activities permitted under MSHSL and Hopkins Public Schools guidelines.