Part Time Cross Country Coach

Description

St. Austin Catholic School is seeking a mission-driven, energetic Cross Country coach to lead our co-ed distance running teams (Grades 5–8) during the Fall 2025 season. This is a part-time, seasonal position, with early morning practices and off-campus meets throughout the fall.

As a Catholic school, our mission is to educate students in mind, body, and spirit. At St. Austin Athletics, we believe that sports are a powerful tool for character development, resilience, and self-discipline. We are a proud member of the Capital Area Private and Parochial Schools (CAPPS) league and a certified Play Like a Champion Today program.

Job Summary

The Coach fulfills the mission of the Catholic school by developing, initiating, and administering the program in a particular sport which adequately prepares the student-athlete for interscholastic competition. The Coach is recommended to the principal by the athletic director, hired by the principal, and evaluated in consultation with the athletic director.

As Cross Country Coach, you will: 

• Lead two morning practices per week: Tuesday/Thursday, from 6:00–7:00 AM
• Opportunity to lead some optional Saturday runs on weekends without a meet
• Prepare athletes for four off-campus meets and the CAPPS Championship
• Train runners in endurance, pacing, mental focus, and goal setting
• Maintain communication with student-athlete families via the selected parent portal, providing updates, practice reminders, game recaps, upcoming match information, and team goals throughout the season
• Model Catholic values, sportsmanship, and personal discipline
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-aligned team culture

Meet Schedule

• 8/22/26: St. Dominic Savio Early Bird Invitational
• 9/12/26: Austin Speedster Cross Country Classic or Cedar Park Invitational
• 9/19/26: Holy Family Angel Invitational (tentative)
• 10/3/26: Brentwood Christian School Bears Invitational (tentative)
• 10/24/26: CAPPS Cross Country Championship

Key Details to note: 

• Season: August 8 – October 24, 2026
• Teams: 5/6 Girls, 5/6 Boys, 7/8 Girls, 7/8 Boys
• Practice Location: Begins at St. Austin Gym; running in nearby neighborhoods and routes around campus
• Meets: Four local races plus the CAPPS Championship

Reports To: Athletic Director, Taylor Garcia
Coach is recommended by the AD, hired by the principal, and evaluated in consultation with both.

Ministerial Character

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Austin are canonically obedient to the Bishop and assist him in fulfilling his ministry and canonical obligations. Pastors, presidents, and principals serve as leaders of the schools to make Christ's mission present and enduring in the schools. In order to fulfill Christ's mission, the school leaders employ suitable, chosen collaborators, sharing with them Christ's mission and entrusting to them various responsibilities.

Positions employed in this School help extend the ministry of the School leaders in particular ways as outlined in the job description. The employee in this position is closely connected to and assists the School leaders in the performance of their ministry and, therefore, engages in ministry for the Church.

 Essential Duties

• Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education and the mission of the school
• Acts as a witness to Gospel values by modeling the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Supports and adheres to the Code of Conduct and policies and procedures of the school and Diocese
• Maintains confidentiality regarding school matters
• Models professional conduct and sensible sportsmanship while instilling these characteristics within team members
• Conducts practice sessions and games according to local diocesan policy and league regulations
• Schedules practices and games in consultation with the athletic director
• Verifies student eligibility to practice and participate by completion of physicals, release/hold harmless, and registration
• Monitors the physical condition and fitness of participants and reports injuries to parents and school officials
• Continually monitors and supervises all activities of the participants at all practices and games
• Teaches essential safety skills and strategies to student athletes, monitors safety compliance
• Follows school and diocesan policies regarding academic eligibility, safety guidelines, and transportation rules
• Communicates with athletic director regarding need for early dismissals, field, and gym use
• Ensures that emergency contact information is available at practices and games
• Demonstrates professionalism in conduct, demeanor, and work habits
• Able to instruct athletes about proper strategy, skills, and rules of the game
• Able to motivate student athletes to perform optimally as an individual athlete and team member
• Uses approved, corrective, and positive discipline procedures in dealing with inappropriate student conduct
• Collaborates with school personnel to enhance the work environment and support academic programming
• Conferences with parents upon request and responds to messages in a timely manner

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the basic teachings of the Catholic Church
• Knowledge of adolescent physical development and sport skills and regulations
• Expertise, knowledge, and competency in fundamentals of the sport including Serving, passing, setting, and positioning
• Able to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form
• Able to work well with others in the school community
• Skill in handling multiple tasks simultaneously
• Skill in motivating and engaging student athletes
• Skill in organizing and relating information in an understandable format
• Skill in job appropriate technology
• Skill in critical thinking and planning

Requirements

 Minimum Qualifications

Education:

High school or equivalent

Experience:

Previous coaching and/or playing experience

Certifications and Training:

• Valid Texas driver's license.
• Must maintain compliance with the Diocese of Austin Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) policies throughout the employment      period.
• Must meet the minimum requirements for teaching field as set forth by the Diocese and TCCB ED.
• Must meet staff development guidelines as set forth by the Diocese and school administration.
• Must complete Missionary Discipleship for Catholic Schools (Level 1) within two years of the date of hire.

Working Conditions

• Required to work some nights and weekends
• Required to manage high to moderate levels of stress
• Required to work in standard gym, field, and school conditions

Employee Certification

All employees must adhere to the Catholic Schools Standards of Conduct, the Diocese of Austin EIM policies, and the social, ethical, and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church as interpreted by the Bishop of Austin. Texas is an “at-will” employment state. Letters of employment are not contracts, nor do they bind the employer or the employee to a predetermined time or guarantee of employment.