Head Football Coach

Central Washington University; Ellensburg (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement and savings plans

Tuition assistance

Job summary

A prominent university in Washington is seeking a Head Football Coach to lead its Athletics team in Ellensburg. The coach will manage the CWU Football program, overseeing recruitment, budget management, and fostering a positive environment for student-athletes. The role requires a strong understanding of NCAA regulations and prior coaching experience. This full-time position offers an annual salary ranging from $110,000 to $130,000, complemented by an extensive benefits package, promoting a culture of success for students and athletes alike.

Qualifications

• 5 years of professional or collegiate coaching experience required.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations is essential.
• Experience in managing budgets and communication skills are necessary.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall management of the CWU Football program.
• Coaching, recruitment, and retention of student athletes.
• Facilitating and managing home games along with budgeting.

Skills

Coaching experience

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Budget management

Understanding of NCAA rules

Collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (preferred)

Job description

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Central Washington University provided pay range

This range is provided by Central Washington University. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$110,000.00/yr - $130,000.00/yr

Director of People Experience & Talent Operations @ Central Washington University

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Head Football Coach to join our Athletics team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $110,000 - $130,000annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Head Football Coach will be responsible for the overall management of the CWU Football program. Depending on qualifications and areas of expertise, incumbent will serve as the position coach for specific areas but will be responsible for the overall program success. The Head Coach is responsible for creating an overall positive and championship environment for all student-athletes of the football program.

These duties include but are not limited to coaching; recruitment and retention of student athletes; facilitation and management of home games; competition scheduling; travel arrangements; equipment management; fiscal planning and budget management; public relations; hiring, supervising and evaluating assistants; and maintaining a positive and professional relationship with students, athletes, alumni, donors, media, and fans.

The Head Coach must conduct a football program in compliance with all applicable NCAA, Lone Star Conference, State, National, and Institutional rules and regulations. It is also critical that the program works in the best interest of the university mission and goals, in which student-athletes both graduate and achieve competitive success.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Coaches directly impact the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a culture of welcoming and belonging. They practice inclusivity and engage their employees in meaningful work that fosters strong relationships, stewardship of resources, and the integration of diverse perspectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 5 years of professional or collegiate coaching
• Understanding of and commitment to academic improvement and excellence.
• Knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR an equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education which clearly demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of all applicable individual association rules and regulations.
• Previous coaching experience on the collegiate level.
• Experience recruiting high performing student-athletes.
• Experience fundraising for various athletic programs.
• Previous experience creating and managing budgets.
• Master's Degree.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote inclusion.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through teaching and/or mentoring activities.

Annual Salary $110,000 - $130,000, based on a full-time eleven-month appointment spread over 12 months.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Appointment: Full-time, 11-month appointment, spread over 12 months.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance. CWU Benefits, Perks & Discounts Overview.

For additional information about the University, visit: http://www.cwu.edu

For additional information about Ellensburg, visit: http://www.myellensburg.com

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training and contact information for three professional references;
• Copies transcripts for the highest degree held

Screening Begins: December 26, 2025

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.