Assistant Baseball Coach / Pitching Coach

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Position Purpose:

The Assistant Coach supports the Head Coach in the development and administration of the nationally competitive baseball program. The position supports coaching, student-athlete development, recruiting, team operations, compliance, and program activities while helping provide a competitive, educational, inclusive, and safe student-athlete experience that reflects AU’s mission and values.

• Core Competencies:
• Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
• Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
• Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
• Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

• Supports the Head Coach in the operation of a nationally competitive NCAA baseball program, including coaching, recruiting, scheduling, travel, team operations, and program development.
• Works with the Head Coach and coaching staff to implement program priorities, policies, practice plans, competition preparation, and team standards; communicates issues and concerns promptly.
• Understands and follows NCAA, conference, University, and departmental rules and regulations and reports alleged or suspected violations through appropriate channels.
• Teaching/Coaching
• Keeps informed of current coaching trends, tactics, techniques, and strategies and implements the Head Coach’s coaching philosophy through instruction, encouragement, and constructive feedback.
• Assists with planning, implementing, and evaluating practices and communicates expectations and feedback clearly and constructively.
• Assists with game planning and competition preparation and supports the Head Coach in preparing student-athletes for competition and maintaining high expectations for effort, conduct, and performance.
• Supports high expectations for academic achievement and student success and communicates academic or eligibility concerns to the Head Coach and appropriate Athletics personnel.
• Promotes student-athlete social responsibility, leadership, personal growth, and well-rounded development and supports program expectations for conduct.
• Supports student-athlete conduct and accountability in collaboration with the Head Coach and Athletics leadership and follows established university processes when concerns arise.
• Promotes student-athlete health and safety; monitors equipment and facilities; and promptly reports maintenance, safety, liability, or risk-management concerns.

• Recruitment of Student-Athletes
• Assists the Head Coach with recruiting and retention and works with Athletics and the Office of Admission to support established roster, enrollment, and recruiting goals.
• Assists prospective student-athletes and families in understanding Aurora University and athletic opportunities and provides accurate information consistent with NCAA Division III recruiting rules and university practices.

• Assists with the organization, inventory, care, and maintenance of team equipment, uniforms, and supplies and follows established purchasing and resource-use procedures.
• Assists the Head Coach with required reports, staff evaluations, team documentation, and annual program review processes.
• Maintains accurate team and individual records, statistics, rosters, and other program documentation and works with appropriate Athletics staff on reporting and archives.
• Maintains self-control and poise and models professionalism, sportsmanship, and appropriate conduct for student-athletes, staff, officials, opponents, and spectators.
• Develops positive relationships with alumni, University constituents, and the surrounding community. Supports Alumni Relations and Development programming when appropriate and as advised by Athletics leadership.
• Attends Athletics Department and AU community meetings, events, and functions.
• Drives University or rental vehicles as needed for away contests, in accordance with university requirements.
• Performs special and/or additional duties as required by the Head Coach, Vice President for Athletics, or other appropriate university official.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Requirements:

• Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of 2 years of collegiate experience.

Skills:

• Solid understanding of Microsoft and Apple operating systems.
• Sound judgment and prioritization skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Quick learner with great prioritization skills.
• Ability to work independently and be dependable.
• Ability to accept divergent views while maintaining a constructive working relationship with other team members.

The pay range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted amount the university reasonably expects to pay for this position. The final pay rate will not be below the lowest pay rate listed herein.

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.