JV Basketball Head Coach

Job Title: Junior Varsity (JV) Basketball Head Coach
Location: Bronx, NY
Employment Type: Seasonal Stipend, In-Person
Time Commitment: Up to four practices per week, 90–120 minutes each, plus games
Compensation: Stipend $4,000–$6,000
Reports To: Athletic Director
Start/End Date: To be determined per league schedule

Organization Overview

Vertex Academies is a public charter International Baccalaureate World High School with a classical core in the heart of the Bronx.

Our mission is to provide students with pathways for upward mobility while preparing them for the responsibilities of self-governance in a democratic republic. Everything we do is rooted in the four cardinal virtues: courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom.

Our Lower Academy curriculum is designed to teach timeless truths in pursuit of the good, the true, and the beautiful. All students train in the seven classical liberal arts of the Trivium and Quadrivium, with explicit instruction and practice of logic, grammar, and rhetoric, choose between Spanish and Latin, and trace the development of the Western Tradition.

Our Upper Academy provides students with rich options equal in rigor and stature: a Humanities-focused pathway with AP courses, or three different International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme pathways: Biomedical Science, Computer Science and Cybersecurity, and Elementary Education, all of which have real-world partners and result in an industry credential.

At Vertex, our students have agency. Each day, they make choices about the kind of people they want to become, the lives they want to lead, and the society they want to build. It is our sacred duty to equip them with the knowledge most worth having, to sharpen their critical thinking, and to create a space where they grapple with diverse viewpoints, express cogent arguments, and engage in democratic discourse.

Position Overview

The Junior Varsity (JV) Basketball Coach is responsible for leading and developing the JV basketball program while supporting the overall vision of the school's athletic department. The coach will oversee all aspects of the team, including practice planning, player development, game preparation, and fostering a culture of sportsmanship, discipline, and academic success. The ideal candidate will possess strong basketball knowledge, leadership skills, and a passion for mentoring student-athletes.

Key Responsibilities

- Plan and conduct engaging, organized practice sessions focused on individual skill development, team concepts, conditioning, and basketball fundamentals.
- Prepare the team for games through scouting, game planning, lineup management, and in-game coaching adjustments.
- Teach offensive and defensive strategies while emphasizing proper basketball techniques and decision-making.
- Develop student-athletes both athletically and personally by promoting teamwork, leadership, accountability, and sportsmanship.
- Collaborate with the Varsity coaching staff to ensure consistency in program philosophy, systems, and player development.
- Evaluate player performance and provide constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
- Encourage and monitor academic achievement, attendance, and positive behavior among student-athletes.
- Maintain communication with athletes, parents, school administration, and the athletic department as appropriate.
- Assist with equipment management, uniforms, inventory, and gym setup before and after practices and games.
- Supervise student-athletes during practices, games, team travel, and other basketball-related activities.
- Travel with the team to away games, tournaments, and other scheduled events as required.
- Ensure compliance with all school, league, conference, and governing body policies and regulations.
- Serve as a positive role model who represents the school and athletic program with professionalism and integrity.

Qualifications

- Previous coaching or playing experience in basketball at the high school, collegiate, or club level preferred.
- Strong understanding of basketball rules, strategies, player development, and skill instruction.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to motivate, mentor, and build positive relationships with student-athletes.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and travel as required.
- Current CPR/First Aid certification (preferred or as required by the school).
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred (if applicable).
- Passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
- Strong commitment to teamwork, integrity, and character development.
- Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
- Positive, energetic, and enthusiastic coaching style.
- Commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and supportive team environment.
- Growth mindset with a willingness to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the success of the overall basketball program.

Commitment & Duration

- The basketball season typically runs 10–14 weeks, including preseason, regular season, and postseason competition (if applicable).
- Coaches are expected to attend up to four (4) practices per week, with each practice lasting approximately 90–120 minutes.
- Coaches are required to attend all scheduled games, postseason competitions (if applicable), coaches' meetings, and other athletic department events.
- Additional practices, offseason training sessions, camps, or tournaments outside of the regular season may require prior approval from the Athletic Director and may be eligible for additional compensation.

Compensation

- Seasonal Stipend: $4,000–$6,000 (commensurate with experience and qualifications).
- Stipend is paid over the course of the basketball season in accordance with the school's payroll schedule.
- The season includes preseason planning, regular season practices and games, postseason competition (if applicable), and required coaches' meetings.
- Coaches are expected to attend scheduled practices, games, athletic department meetings, and other program-related events as assigned.
- Opportunities for additional compensation may be available for summer camps, offseason training, tournaments, or additional coaching responsibilities, subject to school approval and budget availability.

Physical Requirements

This role may require lifting and carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds unassisted, including assisting coworkers when needed. Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting, sitting, and looking at a computer screen for long periods at a time.