Cornell University – Head Men’s Basketball Coach

Cornell University invites nominations and applications for the position of Head Men’s Basketball Coach.

ABOUT CORNELL UNIVERSITY:

Student and Campus Life (SCL) inspires transformation in all Cornell students on their journey of individual, academic, and personal evolution. Our division is comprised of leading student affairs experts who support our campus on pressing student life matters including public service, health, wellness, social justice, residential living, food services, sports, recreation, career services, and student activities and organizations including sorority and fraternity life. We provide support and services to roughly 25,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on multiple campuses in the U.S. and abroad.

Cornell University is an NCAA Division I institution and a member of the Ivy League. The university fields teams in 37 intercollegiate sports and provides a comprehensive physical education program. The university is committed to excellence in academics and athletics, gender equity and diversity in its programs, and a well-balanced, broad-based competitive intercollegiate athletics program. Athletics and Physical Education offers a diverse program of physical and outdoor education, recreational services, intramural sports, and intercollegiate athletics competition, plus wellness programs for faculty and staff and fitness centers for the entire Cornell community.

As a university founded to be a place where “…any person can find instruction in any study,” diversity and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission. We strive to be a welcoming, caring, healthy, and equitable community where students, faculty, and staff with different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect, and feel empowered to engage in any community conversation. As a member of the Cornell University community, it is important to recognize our shared responsibility to each other to cultivate a culture of inclusion for all. Cornell Core values

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

While position responsibilities vary greatly, the Skills for Success and Leadership Skills for Success are foundational to what is expected of every employee and leader working at Cornell. These skills are essential for individual and organizational success. Staff Skills for Success; Leadership Skills for Success

ABOUT THE POSITION: The Head Men’s Basketball Coach oversees all aspects of the Division I Men’s Basketball program, including: hiring, supervision, and evaluation of Assistant Coaches; identifying, recruiting, and retaining top prospective student-athletes; establishing a competitive schedule and coordinating team travel; responding to media requests and promoting the team; coordinating practice planning and skill development; designing coaching strategies to prepare the team for success in competition; establishing and enforcing team expectations and rules of conduct as well as mentoring student-athletes to foster athletic, academic, emotional, and social growth; collaborating with admissions, financial aid, medical services, academic support, student conduct, student-athlete services, and compliance offices; guiding the professional development of assistant coaches by providing expanded responsibilities, regular appraisals, and annual performance reviews; supporting community service, marketing, and fan engagement efforts by involving the coaching staff as well as student-athletes; and supporting student-athlete mental health and wellbeing by implementing positive coaching strategies and supporting the utilization of support services. The Head Coach must also demonstrate adherence to university, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations while overseeing the activities of assistant coaches, staff, and student-athletes to verify compliance with a clear mandate to self-report any violations; and actively participate in and support friend- and fundraising efforts to build attendance, spirit, and financial support to the program.

Alignment with University and Departmental Mission and Values:

• Embraces the primacy of full student-athlete academic engagement
• Has experience with a high academic rigor institution
• Has a thoughtful strategy to recruit student-athletes who will succeed at Cornell
• Identifies as an educator/teacher/coach – to transformation through athletics
• Is committed to being a team player within the Athletics Department
• Understands and accepts the size of the Department and the role of Men’s Basketball at Cornell

Men’s Basketball Expertise:

• Is deeply passionate about the sport of Men’s Basketball
• Has honed their technical and tactical skills of coaching men’s basketball fundamentals, strategies, tactics, and rules
• Holds expertise on offensive and defensive schemes, student-athlete development, and game management
• Is adaptable and creative
• Has used and has access to excellent mentors
• Has built and contributed to a rich network of coaches, or has contributed to the sport broadly in a leadership role
• Has demonstrated the ability to implement a wide variety of basketball systems to fit the available personnel and shifting competitive challenges

Communication Skills:

• Communicates clearly verbally and in writing with high quality, tact and patience
• Can represent the University publicly with distinction
• Can communicate with alumni and donors in a manner that inspires their investment in the program
• Values relationships and is driven to build and nurture them

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

• Has advanced and remains committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Is capable of contributing to the diversity of our staff

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & POSITION COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree; 8 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience contributing to a positive student-athlete experience with a commitment to the health and safety of student-athletes and staff.
• Knowledge of NCAA recruiting and compliance rules and procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Excellent communication skills, strong organizational and leadership skills, and an ability to identify, yield and develop high quality student-athletes.
• Proficiency with computers and office software; familiarity with ARMS software, video editing software, and other athletic-specific technology skills preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated success in cultivating relationships with alumni and other program supporters is required.
• This position will require driving; therefore, a clean and valid driver’s license must be held at time of employment and maintained thereafter.

Working Environment:

• Regular engagement with alumni, parents, and fans, building and maintaining relationships with those who support the men’s basketball program.
• Engagement with the media, conducting press conferences, and representing the team in a positive light to the public.
• Participate in fundraising events and donor outreach to secure financial contributions for the program.
• Participate in community events, charity work, and outreach programs to connect the team with the local community.
• Close concentration with other men’s basketball program staff and student-athletes.
• Typically lifts 30 to 50 lbs

Working conditions include no or limited exposure to hazardous conditions/materials/equipment but do include inclement weather conditions, as well as typical travel conditions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Coaching experience at an Ivy League or other highly academically selective institution strongly preferred

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Coaching (40%)
● Develops the offensive, defensive schemes for the season with associated playbooks.
● Meets both individually and in groups with all student-athletes to explain Men’s Basketball Program and Cornell Athletics rules and policies. General organization of all practices and game plans with delegation to assistant coaches, team captains, and others to execute.
● Assures that any student-athlete injured in practice or a game situation seeks immediate medical assistance from trainers and doctors as appropriate and enforces trainer/doctor orders as to when the student-athlete can return to active playing status.
● Enforces all team and University rules with student-athletes and assistant coaches and staff.
● Schedules and oversees all student-athlete workouts with the strength and conditioning center both in-season and off-season.
● Recommends and coordinates the purchase and refurbishing of equipment with the Athletic Department to ensure maximum safety for the student-athletes.
● Delegates to the Team Managers all team travel planning and alumni event planning in Ithaca and approves plans in line with budget.
● Works with the Athletics Dept. to schedule practice and game field availability with other coaches and Athletic Department personnel.

Recruiting (30%)
● Head Coach oversees the development of a tailored recruiting strategy to attract and yield recruits who are highly talented students and athletes.
● Relative to inquiries from applicants, the HC describes: the Cornell Men’s Basketball program; the rigorous admissions requirements of Cornell; the college structure at Cornell and answers any questions that the applicants or parents may have.
● Head Coach builds and maintains relationships with high school men’s basketball and AAU coaches to raise awareness and advises the coaches of the rigorous academic requirements of Cornell, while encouraging the best students and athletes to apply to Cornell.

Fundraising and Alumni Engagement (15%)
● Regular engagement with alumni, parents, and fans, building and maintaining relationships with those who support the men’s basketball program.
● Engagement with the media, conducting press conferences, and representing the team in a positive light to the public.
● Participate in fundraising events and donor outreach to secure financial contributions for the program. Supports the stewarding of all gifts with appropriate phone calls, notes, etc.
● Participate in community events, charity work, and outreach programs to connect the team with the local community.

Men’s Basketball Administration (10%)
● Report to the Deputy Director of Athletics for Finance and Administration
● Oversee a coaching and operations staff of approximately 4 regular staff and 1 student
● Prepare, administer, and monitor program budget of approximately $600K and related gift accounts
● Complies with NCAA, Ivy rules under the guidance of the athletic compliance office.
● Recruits and hires other assistant coaches and team managers with approval of the Athletic Department and any other Cornell organizations as required.
● Supervise the activities of Assistant Coach(es). Work in cooperation with the trainers and other staff (strength & conditioning coach, equipment, sports information, facilities) assigned to the team.
● Implement University/Athletic Department policies within the Men’s Basketball program.

Other position-related responsibilities (5%)
● Participate in projects with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
● Other duties as assigned by Athletics Director and/or Deputy and Senior Athletics Directors.

APPLICATIONS: The position will remain open until filled; however, for best consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of application, resume, and any additional materials through the application form on this page by April 5th, 2024.

Nominations for the position and questions concerning the job requirements or hiring process should be directed to: clay@collegiatesportsassociates.com.

EEO STATEMENT:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.