About the Role

A prestigious Tier 1 university in the United States is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head Coach to lead its NCAA Division I Men’s Football program. The Head Coach will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the football program, ensuring the development of student-athletes both on and off the field, and upholding the university’s unwavering commitment to excellence in athletics and academics.

This is a program leadership appointment that carries full accountability for competitive performance, recruiting, staff development, NCAA compliance, and community engagement. The Head Coach serves as the most visible representative of the athletics department and is expected to build and sustain a program that reflects the university’s values, earns national recognition, and contributes meaningfully to the broader institutional mission.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Develop and implement a comprehensive vision for the football program that aligns with the university’s mission, values, and athletic department goals.
• Establish and sustain a program culture defined by integrity, competitive excellence, academic accountability, and genuine care for student-athlete development.
• Represent the program and institution with professionalism in all public, media, and community interactions.

Coaching and Player Development

• Plan, design, and conduct effective practice sessions, strength and conditioning coordination, and game-day preparation to optimize team performance.
• Develop and implement offensive, defensive, and special teams strategies appropriate for Division I competition.
• Provide ongoing individual and group instruction to develop the technical skills, football IQ, and character of each student-athlete on the roster.
• Foster a competitive team environment grounded in accountability, mutual respect, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Recruitment

• Identify, evaluate, and recruit talented student-athletes who meet the university’s academic and athletic standards and align with program culture.
• Build and maintain relationships with high school and junior college coaches, recruiting networks, and evaluation services nationwide.
• Manage the recruitment process in full compliance with NCAA, conference, and institutional regulations.

Academic Support and Student-Athlete Welfare

• Monitor and support the academic progress of all student-athletes, ensuring they meet eligibility requirements and are advancing toward degree completion.
• Collaborate with academic support staff, advisors, and faculty to address the educational needs and challenges of student-athletes.
• Promote student-athlete mental health, wellbeing, and personal development as core priorities of the program.

NCAA Compliance

• Ensure the program adheres fully to all NCAA, conference, and university rules and regulations at all times.
• Work closely with the compliance office to maintain program integrity and proactively address any compliance risks or concerns.
• Require and enforce compliance knowledge and conduct standards among all staff, student-athletes, and program associates.

Budget and Administration

• Oversee the football program’s annual budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with university policies and athletics department priorities.
• Manage administrative responsibilities related to scheduling, facility use, equipment procurement, and travel coordination in partnership with athletic department staff.

Public Relations and Development

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the football program, maintaining strong and productive relationships with media, alumni, donors, season ticket holders, and the broader university community.
• Support athletics department fundraising initiatives and actively engage with major donors, boosters, and corporate partners.
• Participate in university events, community outreach, and public-facing initiatives that strengthen the institution’s reputation and fan base.

Staff Leadership

• Hire, mentor, supervise, and evaluate assistant coaches and support staff, building a cohesive and high-performing coaching team.
• Foster a staff culture of professional development, collaborative problem-solving, and shared commitment to student-athlete success.
• Ensure all staff operate within NCAA rules and uphold the program’s standards of conduct.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coaching at a Division I institution with demonstrated success at the highest level of collegiate competition.
• A track record of fundraising, major donor cultivation, and meaningful alumni relations engagement.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting and celebrating student-athlete academic achievement beyond eligibility requirements.
• Prior experience as a head coach with full program accountability, or as a coordinator with documented readiness for program leadership.

Why This Role Matters

At a Tier 1 research university, the Head Football Coach is far more than a game-day decision-maker. This individual is responsible for the academic trajectories, personal development, and long-term wellbeing of a roster of student-athletes who are simultaneously managing the demands of elite athletics and serious academic study.

The football program is also one of the highest-profile representations of the university in the public eye. How the team plays, how the coaching staff carries itself, and how student-athletes develop as people all reflect directly on the institution. A head coach who understands that responsibility — and embraces it — brings enormous value beyond wins and losses.

Retained Search by Excelon Associates

Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Asheville, NC, with additional offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL. Since 2007 we have placed athletic directors, head coaches, senior associates, and athletics administrators at universities and higher education institutions across the United States.

For universities seeking to elevate their athletic programs and drive institutional success, Excelon Associates is a trusted recruitment partner. We connect institutions with experienced coaching leaders who cultivate winning cultures, develop student-athletes holistically, and enhance national program competitiveness. Reach out today to start a confidential conversation.