Position Summary

The Soccer Coach is responsible for leading the school’s soccer program in a manner consistent with the mission, philosophy, and Catholic identity of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School. The coach is expected to develop students’ soccer skills while also forming young people in character, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance, humility, and respect. 

The coach serves as an important representative of the school and is expected to model Christian conduct and promote a team culture in which faith, character, academics, and sportsmanship take priority over winning.

Essential Responsibilities

The Soccer Coach will:

• Plan and conduct organized, age-appropriate practices that develop soccer fundamentals, conditioning, teamwork, and game strategy.
• Attend and coach all scheduled practices, games, tournaments, and other required team activities.
• Teach proper soccer fundamentals, including ball control, passing, receiving, shooting, defending, positioning, movement, and knowledge of the rules of the game.
• Develop players’ understanding of offensive and defensive concepts, teamwork, field awareness, and appropriate decision-making.
• Establish clear expectations for player behavior, attendance, effort, attitude, and teamwork.
• Promote discipline, personal responsibility, respect for authority, and gracious conduct in both victory and defeat.
• Provide appropriate playing opportunities while making coaching decisions based upon player readiness, effort, attitude, safety, team needs, and competitive circumstances.
• Maintain a team environment that supports the Catholic mission and values of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School.
• Lead or encourage team prayer before practices and games and help athletes understand that their conduct on and off the field reflects their school and their faith.
• Work collaboratively with the Principal, Athletic Director, faculty, and other coaches.
• Communicate practice schedules, game information, expectations, and necessary updates clearly and professionally with parents and players.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students and communicate with athletes and families through school-approved methods.
• Ensure that student athletes meet school expectations regarding academics, conduct, attendance, and eligibility.
• Supervise students carefully before, during, and after practices and games and ensure that athletes are released according to school procedures.
• Monitor weather and field conditions and follow all school and league procedures concerning heat, lightning, severe weather, and other safety concerns.
• Maintain soccer balls, goals, nets, uniforms, first-aid supplies, and other team equipment and report equipment or facility needs to the Athletic Director or Principal.
• Assist with the distribution, collection, and inventory of uniforms and equipment.
• Ensure that practice and game areas are left clean and orderly.
• Follow all school, diocesan, league, and athletic policies and procedures.
• Follow appropriate procedures regarding injuries, emergencies, student safety, and incident reporting.
• Demonstrate respect toward officials, opposing teams, coaches, spectators, and host facilities at all times.
• Address disagreements or concerns professionally and refer significant parent, player, disciplinary, or safety concerns to school administration.
• Participate in preseason and postseason meetings or activities as requested.
• Perform other reasonable duties related to the soccer program as assigned by the Principal or Athletic Director.

Expectations for Student Formation

Athletics at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School are an extension of the school’s educational and spiritual mission. Therefore, the coach is expected to intentionally help student athletes grow in:

• Faith – recognizing their talents as gifts from God and competing in a manner consistent with Christian virtue.
• Discipline – developing self-control, perseverance, punctuality, physical endurance, and responsibility.
• Humility – accepting correction, respecting officials and opponents, and placing the good of the team ahead of individual recognition.
• Courage – responding to challenges, mistakes, physical demands, and adversity with determination.
• Sportsmanship – competing vigorously while treating teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials with dignity.
• Teamwork – understanding individual roles, communicating with teammates, and sacrificing personal recognition for the good of the team.
• Excellence – striving to give one's best effort rather than measuring success solely by wins and losses.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Have knowledge of soccer fundamentals, rules, strategies, and age-appropriate coaching methods.
• Have previous soccer playing or coaching experience; prior youth or school coaching experience is preferred.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead, motivate, instruct, and appropriately discipline school-aged students.
• Possess strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, good judgment, and professionalism.
• Support the teachings, mission, and Catholic identity of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School.
• Serve as a positive role model for students.
• Be willing to work collaboratively with school administration and follow established school policies.
• Successfully complete all Diocese of Beaumont Safe Environment requirements and any required background checks before working with students.
• Complete any required CPR, First Aid, concussion, heat-safety, athletic, or league-specific training as directed by the school.

Professional Conduct

Because coaches have a significant influence on student athletes, the Soccer Coach is expected to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. The coach should never publicly criticize a student, official, opposing team, parent, colleague, or school administrator and should handle conflict calmly and privately through the appropriate chain of communication. The coach must understand that participation in athletics is a privilege and that the soccer program remains subject to the authority and policies of St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School. Decisions regarding student discipline, eligibility, program administration, and the overall direction of the athletic program ultimately rest with school administration.

Physical and Scheduling Requirements

The position requires the ability to:

• Attend afternoon, evening, and occasional weekend practices and games.
• Stand, walk, jog, and move around the field for extended periods during practices and games.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Demonstrate soccer skills and drills as appropriate.
• Lift, carry, set up, and move soccer equipment and supplies.
• Travel to away games and tournaments as required.