Position Overview

 

The Athletic Coach at Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School leads a comprehensive athletic program
in an assigned sport, fostering both athletic excellence and academic achievement for all student-athletes.
Reporting to the Director of Student Athletics, the Athletic Coach organizes and coordinates all aspects of
team programming in compliance with Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA)
regulations, teaches sport fundamentals and strategies, monitors student-athlete academic progress, and
models exceptional sportsmanship and character.

 

Core Responsibilities

• Organize and coordinate a comprehensive athletic program in the assigned sport that complies with the rules and regulations of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), the Philadelphia Public League (PPL), and school policies related to sports participation, student travel and supervision, and media.
• Attend required Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) meetings, Philadelphia Public League (PPL) coaches meetings, and District 12 rules and interpretations meetings to ensure compliance and stay current on league requirements and policy updates.
• Submit all required forms to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), Philadelphia Public League (PPL), and any local leagues in a timely manner.
• Communicate team policies, school athletic policies, and athletic league policies clearly to all participants and families at the start of the season.
• Create and submit a practice and game calendar for the season to the Director of Student Athletics prior to the start of the season.

 

Coaching and Instruction

• Teach the fundamentals, strategies, rules, and proper conditioning techniques for the assigned sport, ensuring all student-athletes develop skills, knowledge, and physical preparedness.
• Develop and implement strategic practice plans that build student-athlete skill development, teamwork, and competitive readiness.
• Model and expect exceptional sportsmanship, character, and ethical conduct from all student-athletes, fostering a team culture grounded in respect, integrity, and accountability.
• Hold comprehensive tryouts that provide all students with an equal opportunity to compete, making necessary roster decisions based on skill, character, and team needs.
• Communicate clear expectations to student-athletes before home and away games, including (but not limited to) bench behavior, halftime procedures, and sportsmanship standards.

Student-Athlete Academic Support

• Monitor student-athlete academic progress by completing weekly grade checks, ensuring that academics remain the top priority for all team members.
• Complete unofficial grade checks on Wednesday to provide consistent academic support and early intervention, given athletic department grade checks on Friday.
• Provide opportunities for team homework assistance and academic support, ensuring student-athletes have time and resources to meet their academic responsibilities.
• Maintain ongoing communication with student-athlete teachers, the Director of Student Athletics, and the Principal regarding academic progress, behavioral concerns, and student support needs.
• Collect signed student-athlete contracts from all team members at the start of the season, reviewing contract expectations with student-athletes and submitting contracts to the Director of Student Athletics.

Safety and Supervision

• Ensure adequate supervision is provided for all student-athletes at all times, including practices,
• games, and team travel, with no student-athletes permitted in practice spaces without an adult present.
• Inspect the safety of facilities and equipment before each practice and game, ensuring environmental conditions are safe and appropriate for athletic activity.
• Instruct participants in safety procedures and the need to report injuries to the Director of Student Athletics or the Principal immediately.
• Ensure the availability of a properly supplied first aid kit, including ice packs, at all practices and games.
• Work with the School Nurse and Director of Student Athletics to ensure that all participants attending open gym and tryouts are Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) approved with current sports physicals.
• Ensure that practices do not begin until contracted teacher or staff time has concluded, and that on half-days, students leave the building and return for practice or games in accordance with school policy.
• Ensure that no outside individuals attend practices without approved clearances, coordinating with the Director of Student Athletics at least one week in advance if outside support is needed.

Operations and Administrative Responsibilities

• Appropriately issue, transport, collect, inventory, and store athletic equipment and uniforms, completing pre-season and end-of-season inventory with the Director of Student Athletics.
• Assign uniforms to student-athletes and maintain an accurate list of sizes and numbers for the season.
• Notify the Director of Student Athletics immediately of any changes to the team roster, with the understanding that no students may be added after tryouts and students removed from the roster cannot be re-added.
• Track student attendance at all practices and competitions, maintaining accurate records throughout the season.
• Report all game scores to MaxPreps and the appropriate sports chair immediately following each athletic competition.
• Coordinate home game logistics, including assigning team managers to maintain the scorebook
• and operate the scoreboard, and ensuring spectators do not enter the gym until staff is available.
• Organize and plan Senior Night with the Director of Student Athletics, communicating the senior game date at the start of the season and coordinating senior gifts and decorations at least three weeks prior to the event.
• Attend Philadelphia Public League (PPL) end-of-season meetings with the sports chair and communicate any All-Public League nominations to the Director of Student Athletics.

Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate a commitment to equity and culturally responsive practice in all decisions, communications, and interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
• Comply fully with school, district, and state regulations, including Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) rules and regulations.
• Complete additional duties as assigned by the Director of Student Athletics.

 

Qualifications

• Possess current certification in CPR, First Aid, sudden cardiac arrest recognition and response, and concussion management and protocols.
• Possess current Pennsylvania clearances, including the Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114), State Police Criminal Record Check (Act 34), and Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151).
• Complete state-required training in mandated reporting (Act 126), sexual misconduct disclosure (Act 168), and school safety and security (Act 71).
• Demonstrate prior coaching experience or experience participating in the sport to be coached (preferred).
• Demonstrate proficiency as an instructional or non-instructional member of the Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School staff if currently employed by the school.
• Demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with and understand people from all cultures and ethnic backgrounds.
• Demonstrate strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic that welcomes challenges and the opportunity to work through them.
• Demonstrate proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft 365 as tools for communication, scheduling, roster management, and coordination with the Director of Student Athletics and school staff.