Under the direction of the Head Coach, the purpose of this position is to use athletics as a tool to educate college students. By using inter-collegiate competition and all activities related to such competition, this position serves as a teacher and mentor to help build student character, prepare students for a constructive and effective life, and teach valuable life lessons including work ethic; discipline; resilience; persistence; teamwork and selflessness; goal-setting and goal achievement; overcoming adversity; and leadership. This position typically influences student-athletes for their entire four years at Harvard and plays a key role in shaping their personal development.

This position assists in planning, directing and coaching the men’s inter-collegiate basketball program. Typically works with all student-athletes in the program.

This position typically requires experience coaching at the collegiate level or comparable experience.  Comparable experience may include coaching/teaching at the professional level. Particularly for sports that are more prominent on an international level than in the United States, comparable experience may include playing in a professional or other high-performance environment, such as for a national team or at the Olympic level.

This is a one-year term position renewable at the discretion of the Head Coach and the Athletic Director.

Position Description

1. Athlete Team Management

• Focuses on developing student-athlete skills, helping to plan and execute practices, supporting in-game management, and coordinating a portion of team programming of particular importance. Helps team perform at competitive levels.
• Typically has some impact on developing the skills for a portion of student-athletes.
• Requires the ability to effectively communicate with students by generating enthusiasm through credible coaching.
• Assists in analyzing video for scouting opponents and team development.
• Assists in recruiting and retaining talent consistent with values of excellence and inclusion; assists in developing team enthusiasm for recruitment and retention.
• Supports culture of education through athletics. Assists in academic integration with team, as appropriate.

2.  Operational Complexity

• Typically assists in the execution of strategy, logistics and operational direction of the team, with greater supervision. Where expenditures are permitted, operates within budget.
• Participates in professional activities, as appropriate. With instruction, follows trends and embraces innovation opportunities.
• Problems faced may be moderately complex.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively with the coaching staff and athletics administrators.

In addition, the Assistant Coach will be responsible for:

• Inspiring and motivating student-athletes to perform their best and to be an effective part of a team;
• Mentoring, communicating with and counseling student athletes;
• Serving as a positive role model for the student-athletes, assistant coaches, volunteer coaches and others associated with the sport.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Requires at least 1 year of basketball coaching, or professional or Olympic playing experience.