<p>Job Summary</p> <p>The Director of Football Performance provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of all aspects of Football strength and conditioning at Lamar University. This role serves as the primary architect of the Football performance program, including long-term program planning, physical development, sport science integration, performance monitoring, and holistic athlete well-being.</p> <p>This position directly collaborates with the Head Football Coach, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, and Athletic Training to optimize player performance, reduce injury risk, and support academic and personal development. The Director oversees Football performance staff, manages daily operations of the weight room, and ensures a safe and disciplined training environment.</p> <p>Strict adherence to NCAA, conference, and university policies is required. Violations may result in disciplinary action, including termination.</p> <p>Essential Job Functions</p> <p>Program Leadership & Strategic Planning</p> <ul> <li>Develop, lead, and evaluate a comprehensive annual Football performance program covering strength, power, speed, agility, mobility, conditioning, and recovery. </li><li>Create long-term athlete development pathways and periodized training cycles aligned to practice and competition calendars. </li><li>Establish program philosophy, standards, expectations, cultural principles, and accountability systems for Football student-athletes. </li><li>Serve as the primary performance advisor to the Head Football Coach and sport administrators. </li><li>Ensure program alignment with university values, student-athlete welfare priorities, and sport performance best practices. </li></ul> <p>Football Strength & Conditioning Program Design & Delivery</p> <ul> <li>Design and implement individualized and position-specific training programs for all Football student-athletes. </li><li>Lead daily coaching sessions that emphasize proper technique, progression, and safety. </li><li>Oversee return-to-play conditioning and modify programs for injured or restricted student-athletes in partnership with Sports Medicine. </li><li>Integrate warm-ups, speed development, plyometrics, energy-system training, and recovery modalities into team training. </li><li>Maintain detailed programming records and adjusts based on athlete performance data. </li></ul> <p>Sport Science, Testing & Performance Analytics</p> <ul> <li>Oversee Football performance testing, including strength metrics, speed timing, power assessments, conditioning evaluations, and mobility screens. </li><li>Implement and manage athlete monitoring tools (GPS, velocity-based training systems, force plates, wellness surveys, etc.). </li><li>Analyze and present performance trends to coaches, training staff, and administrators. </li><li>Use data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform training adjustments. </li><li>Remain up-to-date with industry trends and standards. </li></ul> <p>Staff Supervision, Training & Professional Development</p> <ul> <li>Supervise Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coaches, interns, student workers, and graduate assistants supporting Football. </li><li>Provide mentorship, professional development, and clear performance expectations. </li><li>Coordinate staff assignments, daily coverage, continuing education, and credentialing compliance. </li><li>Lead hiring processes, onboarding, evaluations, and scheduling within the Football performance unit. </li></ul> <p>Facility, Equipment & Safety Management</p> <ul> <li>Oversee daily operations and upkeep of all Football strength & conditioning facilities. </li><li>Manage equipment purchasing, maintenance, replacement planning, and vendor relationships. </li><li>Ensure all training environments meet safety standards, cleanliness expectations, and risk-management requirements. </li><li>Provide proper supervision of student-athletes to ensure correct technique and safe use of equipment. </li></ul> <p>Collaboration, Communication & Student-Athlete Support</p> <ul> <li>Maintain consistent communication with Head Football Coach, position coaches, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, and Academic Services. </li><li>Support holistic student-athlete wellness, including sleep, recovery, hydration, nutrition basics, and life-balance habits. </li><li>Meet regularly with student-athletes to discuss goals, progress, concerns, and individualized training needs. </li><li>Represent Football performance in internal and external meetings, community events, or recruiting activities as needed. </li></ul> <p>Minimum and Desired Qualifications</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Performance, or a closely related field. </li><li>Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible strength and conditioning or athletic performance experience at the NCAA Division I, FBS/FCS, or professional level. </li><li>Demonstrated experience designing and leading football-specific performance programs, including strength, speed, agility, and conditioning development. </li><li>Experience working with student athletes representing different backgrounds. </li><li>Current First Aid, CPR, and AED certification. </li><li>Certification through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (SCCC) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS). </li><li>Ability to lift and move athletic equipment and weights up to 50 pounds routinely and 100 pounds occasionally with or without reasonable accommodation. </li><li>Ability to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays in alignment with the Football competitive calendar. </li><li>Strong commitment to NCAA, conference, and institutional compliance. </li><li>Upload CSCS and/or SCCC certification with application. </li></ul> <p>Desired Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li>Master's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Physiology, Strength and Conditioning, or a related field. </li><li>USA Weightlifting certification (USAW Level 1 or higher). </li><li>Experience supervising staff, interns, or graduate assistants. </li><li>Experience integrating sport science technologies, including GPS tracking, velocity-based training, force plates, and/or athlete monitoring systems. </li><li>Previous experience directing or coordinating a comprehensive Football performance program at the collegiate or professional level. </li></ul> <p>Supplemental Information</p> <p>Key Competencies:</p> <ul> <li>Expert knowledge of football-specific strength training, speed development, agility mechanics, power production, mobility, recovery, nutrition basics, and cardiovascular conditioning. </li><li>Demonstrated expertise in load monitoring, data collection, athlete testing, and applied sport science. </li><li>Strong leadership, communication, and motivational skills; ability to influence large teams of staff and athletes. </li><li>Ability to develop comprehensive annual and multi-phase training plans aligned to competitive cycles. </li><li>Commitment to the rules and regulations of the NCAA, conference, Texas State University System, and Lamar University. </li></ul> <p>Physical Requirements:</p> <ul> <li>Ability to demonstrate and instruct strength, speed, agility, and conditioning movements, including lifting, squatting, jumping, sprinting, and similar athletic activities. </li><li>Must be able to lift, move, or carry equipment and weights up to 50 pounds routinely and up to 100 pounds occasionally with or without reasonable accommodation. </li><li>Frequent periods of standing, walking, bending, reaching, and crouching, often for extended durations. </li><li>Ability to set up, break down, and move athletic performance equipment multiple times per day. </li><li>Ability to work in loud, fast-paced environments with frequent interruptions. </li><li>Must be able to verbally communicate instructions in both small-group and large-team settings. </li></ul> <p>Job Conditions:</p> <ul> <li>Early morning, evening, weekend, and holiday work is required based on Football team schedules, training needs, and competition calendars. </li><li>Position requires significant time on the training floor, weight room, outdoor practice fields, and campus athletic facilities. </li><li>Exposure to variable weather conditions, including heat and cold, during outdoor training sessions. </li><li>Occasional travel is required for team practices, competitions, and post-season events. </li><li>Position involves high physical activity, fast decision-making, and frequent interaction with student-athletes and coaching staff. </li><li>Must comply with all NCAA, conference, Texas State University System, and university rules and policies; violations may result in disciplinary action, including termination. </li></ul>