Indianapolis Public Schools

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you’ll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You’ll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key—you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What’s Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers…

Purpose and Impact:

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you’re maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You’ll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.

Professional and Personal Growth:

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you’re new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.

What We Expect:

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district’s success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it’s a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What’s Possible – in your career and in your school. If you’re ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

The Head Football Coach is responsible for all coaching related activities for the Football team(s), developing and sustaining a successful program with a strong emphasis in academic achievement, skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, character development, along with a high degree of discipline. The Head Football Coach’s responsibilities are not limited to the playing season, as events, season planning, player development; continuous academic monitoring and other activities are involved in the facilitation of a successful program.

It is imperative that the successful candidate demonstrates a proven aptitude for coaching illustrated by a strong work ethic, organizational skills, and the ability to produce results. The head coach will report to the athletic director and performance will be evaluated annually (at minimum) by the athletic director based upon this job description.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Follows and maintains knowledge of all IPS and IHSAA rules regulation and guidelines governing the sport of Football.
• Plans, organizes, and conducts tryouts.
• Monitors academic progress of participants and ensures they attend necessary study tables for academic success.
• Develops appropriate training programs and practice schedules.
• Informs each participant of how they can contribute to the team success.
• Devises effective gameplan and strategies for competitions.
• Implements preseason and postseason plan that focuses on enhancing skill development, conditioning, and academic achievement.
• Hold parent informational meetings at the beginning of each season to discuss coaching philosophy, chain of command and discipline, and schedules.
• Creates a safe environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social, and emotional development of student-athletes.
• Develops relationships with IPS middle school programs to foster relationships and cultivate a strong feeder system.
• Seeks out opportunities to further develop their coaching skills.
• Works directly with the athletic director to schedules contests each season.
• Travels with student-athletes and team personnel on the team bus both to and from games.
• Supervises student-athletes in locker rooms at home and away games and ensure appropriate behavior.
• Ensures the rules and regulations of conduct and eligibility of student-athletes are effectively communicated and followed throughout the year.
• Proactively works with the junior varsity and freshman team coach to prepare them for varsity-level competition.
• Continuously working to facilitate playing opportunities at the post-secondary or collegiate level for high-level student athletes.
• Interacts thoughtfully and respectfully with students, parents, fellow coaches, school personnel, and officials and resolves conflicts in a professional manner.
• Professionally represents the school, IPS, and IHSAA in all interpersonal interactions as well as on all online/social media platforms.
• Attends at all IPS and IHSAA Football coaches’ meetings and adherence meetings regarding rules and regulations of the sport of Football.

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS:

• Build full rosters for varsity and junior varsity teams.
• Instill the importance of academic achievement in all student athletes and assistant coaches on the team.
• Create a team culture that is inclusive and values sportsmanship.
• Build connections with IPS middle school Football programs.
• Complete a team community service project each season.
• Complete a team fund raiser each season.
• Give your student athletes substantial opportunity receive recognition. (e.g., All-City/Conference teams)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow and maintain knowledge of all IPS and IHSAA rules regulation and guidelines governing the sport of Football.
• Instructs and demonstrates skill sets and technique necessary for individual and team development.
• Assists the head coach with planning, organizing, advertising and conducting tryouts for the sport.
• Assists the head coach with developing training programs and practice schedules.
• Assists the head coach with putting student athletes in position to be successful and contributes to the team success.
• Assists the head coach with devising plays and playing strategies for games.
• Knowledge of technical aspects of Football and willingness to continue to learn and examine new ideas pertinent to Football.
• Assists the head coach with implementation of a preseason and postseason plan that focuses on enhancing skill development, conditioning and academic achievement.
• Assists the head coach with parent informational meetings at the beginning of each season.
• Assists the head coach with creating a safe environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social and emotional development of student-athletes.
• Travels with student-athletes and team personnel on the team bus both to and from games.
• Assists the head coach with maintaining necessary records and completes required paperwork in a specified time and manner.
• Supervises student-athletes in locker rooms at home and away games and ensure appropriate behavior.
• Ensures the rules and regulations of conduct and eligibility of student-athletes are effectively communicated and followed throughout the year.
• Proactively works with the junior varsity and freshman team for skill development of student-athletes and principals of playing philosophy in preparation of them being ready for varsity competition. Assistant coach may be required to serve as head junior varsity or freshman coach.
• Assists the head coach with working to facilitate playing opportunities at the post-secondary or collegiate level for graduating student-athletes.
• Interacts thoughtfully and respectfully with students, staff, parents, fellow coaches, administrators and officials and resolves conflicts in a professional manner.
• Professionally represents the school, IPS, and IHSAA in interactions with students, parents, the community, staff and the media.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree related to sports, education, or leadership preferred.
• At least three years of prior successful high school coaching experience with prior head coaching experience preferred.
• Must know tthe Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) and National Federal of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules concerning the sport of Football.
• IHSAA and NFHS Coaching Certification preferred (can be completed after the hire).

FLSA CLASSIFICATION:

Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK:

Not eligible

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully preform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly to talk or listen. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and /or move athletic equipment weighing up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must have the ability to demonstrate the proper techniques and skills needed for athletic participation.

EEOC STATEMENT:

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function.