Assistant Coach - Football, Defensive Coordinator

Appointment:
Regular, full-time (1.0 FTE) position.

Work Location:

This position is based in Tacoma, WA, and is an on-campus role only.

Please note that we generally do not sponsor applicants for work visas for staff positions. Therefore, we generally require applicants for staff positions to be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the Head Football Coach, the Defensive Coordinator is expected to support the mission of the University of Puget Sound and contribute to a collaborative, student-centered, values aligned athletics environment. Essential function is to assist the Head Coach in leading all aspects of the intercollegiate football program, with primary responsibility for coordinating and executing the defensive strategy as well as all facets of developing Puget Sound scholar-athletes.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Promote the academic success, personal development, leadership growth, and holistic well-being of scholar athletes consistent with the university's liberal arts mission and commitment to excellence.

* Maintain strict adherence to all NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference, and Puget Sound rules, policies, and regulations to ensure integrity and compliance.

* Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the defensive unit, including defensive philosophy, scheme installation, weekly game planning, staff collaboration, and player development to ensure a competitive and resilient NCAA Division III program.

* Design and implements all defensive game and practice planning, including opponent scouting, practice scripting, personnel evaluation, and tactical adjustments.

* Utilize film analysis, data analytics, and performance metrics to inform strategic decisions, in-game responses, and personnel management.

* Coach a designated defensive position group and contributes to the development of all defensive personnel through structured instruction, fundamental skill development, and individualized teaching.

* Lead and manage the recruitment, evaluation, and retention of qualified prospective scholar-athletes, emphasizing academic alignment, institutional mission-fit, diversity and inclusion values, and regional/national recruiting strategies.

* Support daily football operations, including:

* Equipment and facility planning

* Budget tracking and administrative reporting

* Compliance, eligibility documentation, and risk-management processes

* Build and sustain positive, team-oriented working relationships with athletics staff, faculty, campus partners, alumni, and external constituents to advance program goals and improve the student-athlete experience.

* Contribute to departmental needs, which may include teaching physical education activity courses and/or performing administrative responsibilities within the Athletics and PE department.

* Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Football Coach or Director of Athletics.

Qualifications:

Candidates must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

* Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three (3) years of relevant collegiate or equivalent football coaching experience, preferably with demonstrated responsibility for defensive coordination. A master's degree may substitute for up to one year of experience.

* Proficiency in defensive football strategy and tactics, with demonstrated experience leading a position group or unit within a competitive intercollegiate program.

* Commitment to ethical conduct, professional integrity, and adherence to NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference, and institutional compliance expectations.

* Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse student populations, campus stakeholders, and external partners.

* Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities in high-performance team settings.

* Experience with football technology systems, including video analysis platforms (e.g., HUDL), data analytics, and game planning tools.

* Ability to support and enhance the academic and personal development of student-athletes in a liberal arts environment that prioritizes holistic education and excellence.

* Ability to meet physical demands associated with on-field instruction, travel, and occasional lifting (up to 50 pounds).

* Ability to respectfully work, communicate and provide leadership within a diverse campus community

Compensation and Benefits:

The anticipated salary for this position is $52,849. Decisions about starting salaries are made based on the extent and relatedness of the candidate's education and experience and on internal equity and market considerations.

Puget Sound offers a generous benefits package for eligible staff employees, including:

* Medical, dental, and vision

* Life insurance and long-term disability

* Employee…