Head Diving Coach

The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head Diving Coach to support its NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Program competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Reporting to the Head Swimming & Diving Coach, this position will oversee all aspects of the diving program, including coaching, recruiting, competition preparation, and student-athlete development. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, recruiting success, and a commitment to developing elite divers in a highly competitive environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Coaching and Athlete Development (45%)

• Plan and lead all diving practices, including technical and tactical instruction. • Teach and refine diving fundamentals, including springboard and platform techniques. • Develop individualized training plans to maximize athlete performance. • Prepare student-athletes for dual meets, invitationals, conference, and NCAA competition. • Analyze performance through video review and technical feedback. • Provide in-meet coaching, strategy adjustments, and performance evaluation. • Monitor athlete progress, scoring trends, and competitive readiness. • Establish and enforce high standards of discipline, focus, and accountability. • Collaborate with strength and conditioning staff on dryland and injury prevention programs. • Foster a positive, competitive, and growth-oriented training environment.

2. Recruiting (35%)

• Identify, evaluate, and recruit prospective student-athletes at the national and international levels. • Build and maintain relationships with club coaches, high school programs, and families. • Communicate consistently with recruiting prospects and manage recruiting pipelines. • Coordinate official and unofficial visits to campus. • Travel to competitions, showcases, and recruiting events as permitted. • Evaluate diving performance through video analysis and live competition. • Utilize recruiting databases to track and organize prospects. • Support roster management, including retention and transfer portal recruiting. • Represent the University of Missouri Diving program with professionalism and integrity.

3. Student-Athlete Support and Mentorship (10%)

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and personal development guidance to student-athletes. • Promote academic success, accountability, and time management. • Assist with onboarding and transition of new student-athletes into the program. • Build a strong team culture emphasizing trust, cohesion, and excellence.

4. Operations and Compliance (10%)

• Oversee diving program operations, including scheduling, equipment, and meet logistics. • Coordinate use of video analysis and performance tracking tools. • Collaborate with athletic department staff including athletic trainers, academic services, and administration. • Ensure full compliance with NCAA, SEC, and University regulations.