Head Softball Coach | SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech

Cobleskill, New York, Softball is an important part of the Fighting Tigers' athletic tradition. SUNY Cobleskill is committed to elevating the program under new leadership, centered on the values of the NCAA Division III philosophy and the College's mission of student success. SUNY Cobleskill invites applications for the full-time, 10-month position of Head Softball Coach. Reporting to the Director of Athletics, this position holds comprehensive responsibility for the leadership, management, and development of the softball program. The Head Coach will be instrumental in establishing the culture, competitive identity, and long-term vision of the program, with a firm commitment to academic excellence, student-athlete development, NCAA Division III compliance, and engagement within the campus and broader community. Provide visionary, ethical leadership for all aspects of the softball program, including program planning, practice organization, game preparation, competitive strategy, and post-season development. Design and implement year-round training programs, player skill development plans, and performance evaluation processes tailored to NCAA Division III student-athletes. Develop and execute a comprehensive, proactive recruiting strategy to identify, evaluate, and enroll academically qualified and athletically talented student-athletes aligned with the College's admissions standards and program values. Establish and maintain a positive, inclusive, values-driven team culture that prioritizes leadership, accountability, academic achievement, and personal growth. Oversee all program operations, including budget management, equipment purchasing and inventory, competition scheduling, and team travel coordination. Monitor and support student-athlete academic progress, eligibility, and overall well-being through active collaboration with the Office of Academic Support Services, Advising, Student Affairs, and campus wellness resources. Ensure full compliance with all NCAA Division III, SUNYAC, and SUNY Cobleskill institutional rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, including completion of annual NCAA rules education requirements. Recruit, supervise, and mentor assistant coaching staff in alignment with departmental expectations and the NCAA Division III philosophy. Collaborate with the Sports Medicine staff to prioritize player health and safety, adhering to NCAA Sports Sciences Institute protocols, acclimatization standards, and NOCSAE equipment standards. Cultivate and steward meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, and families to support program growth, engagement, and fundraising initiatives. Participate actively in departmental programming, including fundraising campaigns, community outreach, youth camps and clinics, and alumni engagement events. Serve as a visible and positive ambassador for Fighting Tiger Athletics and SUNY Cobleskill within the campus, regional, and lacrosse communities. Fulfill assigned secondary responsibilities as determined by the Director of Athletics, which may include event management, game operations, facility oversight, or other departmental functions. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Sports Management, Kinesiology, Recreation, or a closely related field. Minimum of three (3) years of softball coaching experience at the collegiate level, or a combination of high-level collegiate playing experience and demonstrated coaching success. Demonstrated ability to recruit and retain academically motivated, high-character student-athletes at the collegiate level. Proven technical and tactical expertise in softball, including skill instruction, game planning, and competitive match preparation. Strong interpersonal, mentorship, and leadership skills with the ability to positively influence student-athletes at all stages of development. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a team-oriented athletics department. Demonstrated proficiency with administrative and technology platforms, including recruiting software, video analysis tools, and athlete management systems. Thorough understanding of and commitment to the NCAA Division III philosophy, including the primacy of the academic experience for student-athletes. Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, and travel as required by the position. Valid driver's license and clean driving record required. Preferred Qualifications In addition to the aforementioned minimum qualifications, it is preferred the candidate also have:  Master's degree in a related field. Experience as a head coach at the NCAA Division III level or equivalent. Familiarity with the New Jersey/New York/Mid-Atlantic softball recruiting landscape. Experience contributing to athletics fundraising, marketing, community engagement, or alumni relations initiatives. Existing relationships within the SUNYAC community.