Head Softball Coach

Hanover College; Hanover Township (IN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanover College seeks a leader to coach and manage the NCAA Division III women’s softball program. The role focuses on competitive excellence, academic success, wellness, and inclusive excellence while engaging alumni and the community.

You will oversee compliance, scheduling, travel, and facilities, and collaborate with academic support and athletic staff to support student-athlete growth. This position also involves budgeting, fundraising, and potential teaching duties.

Qualifications

• NCAA Division III playing and/or coaching experience.
• Proven ability to recruit student-athletes who align with institutional values.
• Experience with fundraising and donor/alumni engagement.
• Experience teaching activity-based courses or wellness/leadership workshops.
• Familiarity with performance analytics, video/scouting platforms, and athlete management tools.

Responsibilities

• Program Leadership, Compliance, and Operations: Plan, organize, and oversee all aspects of the program in compliance with NCAA rules and institutional policies.
• Recruitment and Roster Management: Coordinate and process all recruiting and maintain rosters for retention goals.
• Student-Athlete Experience and Wellness: Foster holistic, inclusive team culture and collaborate with campus partners to support wellness.
• Budgeting and Administration: Manage the budget, maintain records, and prepare reports.
• External Relations, Fundraising, and Community Engagement: Plan fundraising activities and engage alumni and community.
• Teaching and Off-Season Instruction (as assigned): May teach activity-based courses and integrate leadership skills.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Budget Management

Data-Informed Decision Making

Video/Scouting Platforms

Athlete Management Tools

Education

B.S./B.A. required

M.S./M.A. preferred

Tools

Video/Scouting Platforms

Athlete Management Tools

Job description

Leads and develops a competitive NCAA Division III women's softball program that operates within the parameters set by Hanover College, the conference, and the NCAA. Ensures an excellent student-athlete experience focused on competitive excellence, academic success, wellness, character development, and inclusive excellence while engaging alumni, families, and the broader community.

Primary Responsibilities

1) Program Leadership, Compliance, and Operations

• Plan, organize, and oversee all aspects of the program in compliance with Hanover College, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.
• Schedule season contests and practice times; coordinate scouting of opponents and game/practice preparation.
• Initiate and manage in- and off-season conditioning programs consistent with NCAA DIII standards and institutional policies.
• Attend conference coaches’ meetings and complete required campus trainings.
• Manage team travel, equipment purchasing and maintenance, and facilities coordination to ensure a safe, efficient environment.

2) Recruitment and Roster Management

• Coordinate and process all aspects of on- and off-campus recruiting to attract strong academic and mission-fit student-athletes towards a healthy and competitive roster goal each year.
• Maintain accurate recruiting and roster records for statistical analysis, benchmarking, and historical tracking and towards annual retention goals.

3) Student-Athlete Experience and Wellness

• Foster a holistic, inclusive team culture emphasizing academic progress, mental health, physical well-being, and life-skill development.
• Collaborate with campus partners (academic support, counseling services, athletic training, strength and conditioning, DEI, and Title IX) to provide proactive wellness education, timely referrals, and coordinated return-to-play processes.
• Implement evidence-informed workload management, injury-prevention strategies, and rest/recovery practices; uphold safety standards for practices, travel, and competition.

4) Budgeting and Administration

• Function within an approved budget; oversee the preparation of a detailed, itemized annual budget.
• Initiate and recommend budget adjustments that improve program quality and the student-athlete experience.
• Maintain comprehensive program records (statistics, compliance documentation, recruiting, travel, equipment inventory, and historical materials) and prepare required reports.
• May be assigned as game administrator on a limited number of dates in off-season.

5) External Relations, Fundraising, and Community Engagement

• Provide responsive, professional service to student-athletes, faculty/administration, alumni, fans, parents, community members, and media.
• Partner with Advancement to plan and execute fundraising initiatives (e.g., annual giving, events, donor stewardship) supporting program needs and enhancements.
• Engage alumni and community through clinics, camps, outreach, and service projects that elevate program visibility and reputation.

6) Teaching and Off-Season Instruction (as assigned)

• May teach a physical activity or wellness-based activity course in the off-season, subject to institutional need and qualifications.
• Integrate sport-specific and transferrable skills (leadership, teamwork, resilience) into instructional settings; align course outcomes with departmental and institutional goals.

Other Responsibilities

• Perform general duties to ensure the quality, safety, and development of the program and the student-athlete experience.
• Maintain records for statistical analysis and historical ramifications.
• Promote a positive image of Hanover College and represent the College in accordance with the College's mission, principles, and strategic plan.
• Support a welcoming College culture and experience.
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned based on coaching/administrative strengths.

Job Qualifications

Education

• B.S. or B.A. required; M.S. or M.A. preferred

Experience

• NCAA Division III playing and/or coaching experience
• Demonstrated success recruiting strong academic student-athletes who align with institutional values
• Experience with fundraising and donor/alumni engagement
• Experience teaching activity-based courses or facilitating wellness/leadership workshops
• Familiarity with performance analytics, video/scouting platforms, and athlete management tools

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with diverse audiences (students, families, colleagues, alumni, media)
• Strong organizational skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and a variety of secondary assignments
• Knowledge of NCAA DIII rules and regulations; demonstrated commitment to compliance and ethical conduct
• Commitment to student-athlete wellness, safety, and inclusive excellence
• Budget management, operational planning, and data-informed decision-making

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Evening and weekend work required during the competitive season; travel required
• Maintain current certifications as applicable (e.g., First Aid/CPR/AED, sport-specific credentials, driver certification, and institutional trainings)
• Adhere to and model Hanover College mission, values, and conduct expectations; uphold conference and NCAA Division III philosophies.