Assistant Coach, Football

Department: Athletics and Recreation 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Manager of Football Operations and Head Coach

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: March 22nd 2026

Requisition ID: 10722 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

This job posting is for a current vacancy.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Football Operations and Head Coach, the Assistant Coach, Football will assist with various aspects of the offense and student athlete development of the interuniversity football program including, skill analysis and development, as well as collaborating with other coaches on the offensive unit on team tactics and overall offensive strategy. The Assistant Coach, Football – Recruiting Coordinator, Student Athlete Development Coordinator & Offensive Assistant will assist the Manager, Football Operations & Head Coach, the Associate Head Coach, Football and the Sr. Coordinator of Sport & Athlete Services in the coordination of the student athlete academic development and the coordination of recruiting top quality student athletes.

The Assistant Coach, Football will assist in the Manager of Football Operations in the planning and supervision of the off-season training program, spring interuniversity camp and act as a liaison for recruiting, fundraising, events and scouting. The Assistant Coach will also assist the Sr. Coordinator, Sport & Athlete Services, Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport Programs in the academic support, well-being and progress of the student athletes within the football program.

Accountabilities

Assistant Football Coach -

• Assists with skill analysis and development, of the offensive and overall team
• Analyze and prepare film for practice, off-field film sessions for Offense team and Manager Football Operations.

• In conjunction with other offensive coaches and Manager of Football Operations, Assistant Coach collaborates on game day planning and strategy.
• Prepares written & multimedia practice planning materials for Offensive
• In consultation with the Manager, Football Operations & Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport Programs, develop and implement services that appropriately support the Football Program, including: fundraising, student-athlete recruitment services; and student-athlete support services (academic, health, and personal);
• Conduct Individual skill analyses and student athlete

Training Program and Special Event Coordination

• Assists the Manager, Football Operations & Head Coach, the Associate Head Coach, Football in the support & coordination of the off season training program, spring interuniversity camp
• Assists with and schedules the August training camp schedule which includes training camp meal & Residence timetable.
• Assists with the coordination/communication of recruiting events and game scouting including fundraising events such as Laurier Football Dinner and Adopt a Hawk
• Carries out special projects as assigned by Manager Football Operations and Head

Athlete Recruitment & Student Athlete Development

• Assists the Manager, Football Operations & Head Coach, the Associate Head Coach, Football and the Sr. Coordinator of Sport & Athlete Services the recruitment strategy in with student-athlete recruitment efforts through the scheduling and coordination of on campus visits with other academic units and student services within Laurier, while being in compliance with USports & OUA regulations
• Assist, in conjunction with the Sr. Coordinator, Sport & Athlete Services, Associate Director, Interuniversity Sport Programs, develop and implement services that appropriately support the student athlete development of the football program in the classroom and community, including: fundraising, student-athlete recruitment services; and student-athlete support services (academic, health, and personal);
• Assists in supporting the Manager, Football Operations & Head Coach, the Associate Head Coach, Football with tracking and supporting contacting up to potential student athletes

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree plus 3 years’ experience in post-secondary football or Professional football with knowledge of up-to date coaching/teaching techniques or equivalent football experience
• Proven experience within a high-performance sport environment, with a strong understanding of the demands, pressures, and standards associated with competitive interuniversity or professional athletics.
• Demonstrated familiarity with the university athletic environment and its governance, culture, and operational complexity considered an asset.

Leadership, Communication & Interpersonal Effectiveness

• Demonstrated leadership capacity with a proven ability to motivate, mentor, and develop student- athletes and coaching staff within a values-driven, performance-oriented culture.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to facilitate meetings, deliver presentations, and navigate complex, sensitive, or conflict-driven conversations with professionalism, empathy, and sound judgment.
• Proven ability to build, sustain, and leverage trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, including athletes, coaches, academic partners, sport medicine professionals, and institutional leadership

Technical, Administrative & Operational Expertise

• proficiency in video analysis platforms, recruiting software, and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), supporting evidence-based decision-making and efficient program administration.
• Valid driver’s license and demonstrated willingness to travel, including evenings and weekends, in support of recruitment, competition, and program commitments.

Student-Athlete Experience, Recruitment & Retention

• understanding of the academic, athletic, and personal demands of the student-athlete experience, including time management, academic progression, eligibility, and holistic development.
• knowledge of U SPORTS and OUA policies, procedures, and regulations, including eligibility, recruiting compliance, and governance standards.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Education

• Formal training and education in equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB), including Four Seasons of Reconciliation and Safe Sport principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing inclusive team cultures, equitable access to resources, and student-athlete education initiatives aligned with institutional EDI priorities.

Mental Health, Wellness & Case Support

• Knowledge and training preferred in relation to Mental Health First Aid, student athlete development,    Safe Sport, Diversity & Inclusion
• Ability to operate effectively within integrated support models, partnering with academic advisors, sport medicine staff, and healthcare professionals to support student-athlete well-being and retention

Certifications, Compliance & Risk Management

• NCCP Coach Certification considered an asset
• Safe Sport Certification required.
• Vulnerable Sector Check in good standing required
• Demonstrated understanding of institutional risk management, duty of care, and ethical leadership responsibilities

Personal Attributes & Professional Disposition

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing meaningfully to a collaborative senior leadership team.
• Commitment to continuous professional development, innovation, and reflective practice within a high-performance sport environment.

Flexibility and resilience in managing the variable demands of a competitive football program, including extended hours, travel, and peak seasonal workloads

Hours of Work

This is a Full-time, Continuing opportunity. The normal hours of work are 8:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours may be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to periods of high volume. When possible, the manager will adjust hours to ensure no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

This role requires daily in person attendance and is not eligible for a flexible work arrangement as per Policy 8.14 (Flexible Work Policy).

This position has  been deemed eligible for educational equivalencies.

Compensation

• Level: D
• Rate of Pay: $38.80 - $41.02 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $44.35 per hour. Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.

Please note, when pre-screening questions are used as part of the application process, AI is utilized to score responses. All other aspects of the hiring process are reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team.