Head Basketball Coach

# HEAD BASKETBALL COACH ## Oklahoma Wildcats Academy *Transforming Athletes Through Purpose-Driven Leadership* ### POSITION OVERVIEW Oklahoma Wildcats Academy (OWA) seeks a visionary Head Basketball Coach who will redefine athletic leadership through our innovative purpose-driven approach. This groundbreaking opportunity invites you to join a revolutionary educational model where basketball serves as a powerful vehicle for holistic development, entrepreneurial mindset cultivation, and purpose discovery. As Head Basketball Coach, you will pioneer a new paradigm in collegiate athletics one where competitive excellence and character development are inseparable, where mental and behavioral health form the foundation of performance, and where daily habits intentionally align with deeper purpose. ### THE OWA DIFFERENCE Oklahoma Wildcats Academy provides a transformative post-graduate program for college freshmen, offering athletic development, entrepreneurship education, and academic advancement without starting the NCAA eligibility clock. Through our partnership with Voice Up, we've created an environment where athletics serves as a pathway to purpose preparing student-athletes not just for their next collegiate opportunity, but for lifelong fulfillment and impact. As we advance toward becoming a fully accredited Division I independent university, we're establishing a new model of athletic coaching that begins with purpose and builds toward performance rather than the reverse. At OWA, success is measured not just by wins and athletic advancement, but by purpose discovery, entrepreneurial development, and holistic growth. ### CORE RESPONSIBILITIES Purpose-Driven Leadership - Integrate Voice Up's purpose discovery methodologies into all aspects of the basketball program - Utilize DISC assessments to customize coaching approaches for each student-athlete - Implement purpose metrics to track growth in self-awareness, personal mission clarity, and purpose alignment - Create structured reflection opportunities connecting basketball experiences to deeper purpose - Develop innovative approaches to help athletes discover how their unique strengths serve their broader life mission - Foster daily habits that reinforce purpose-aligned decision making Mental and Behavioral Health Integration - Collaborate with mental health professionals to establish proactive well-being practices - Implement evidence-based approaches that prioritize athlete mental health as foundational to performance - Create team culture where mental fitness receives equal emphasis to physical development - Design practice structures that enhance focus, resilience, and emotional regulation - Utilize basketball-specific scenarios to develop transferable coping and adaptation skills - Regularly assess team mental health climate and adjust approaches accordingly Basketball Program Excellence - Develop comprehensive player development systems preparing athletes for diverse collegiate playing styles - Design and implement innovative training methodologies that balance individual skill development with team cohesion - Establish appropriate competitive schedules against post-graduate, NAIA, JUCO, and NCAA programs - Analyze performance data to customize development approaches for each athlete - Cultivate basketball IQ through innovative teaching methods - Connect basketball-specific leadership skills to broader life applications Entrepreneurial Integration - Collaborate with entrepreneurship faculty to reinforce business concepts through basketball contexts - Guide athletes in identifying potential business opportunities related to basketball - Connect basketball principles (teamwork, resilience, strategic thinking) to entrepreneurial success - Support athletes in developing their personal brand and professional network - Incorporate entrepreneurial thinking into program development and resource allocation - Model entrepreneurial leadership in program innovation and problem-solving Recruitment and Program Building - Identify and recruit student-athletes who align with OWA's purpose-driven philosophy - Clearly articulate the unique value proposition of OWA's "ghost year" approach - Develop and maintain relationships with high school coaches and collegiate programs - Create compelling program narrative that differentiates OWA from traditional basketball opportunities - Establish evaluation processes that assess character, purpose potential, and entrepreneurial mindset alongside basketball ability - Build sustainable recruiting pipeline for long-term program success Daily Habit Formation - Implement structured systems for intentional habit development - Design daily team routines that reinforce purpose-aligned behaviors - Create accountability frameworks for personal growth commitments - Teach methodologies for self-regulation and habit tracking - Connect daily disciplines to long-term purpose fulfillment - Model personal habit excellence and transparent growth ### LEADERSHIP APPROACH The ideal candidate will embody and advance Voice Up's core principles: Collaboration - Foster genuine teamwork where diverse strengths create collective excellence - Build coaching staff that complements your abilities and extends program impact - Integrate seamlessly with academic, entrepreneurial, and purpose development staff - Create partnership opportunities with external basketball organizations and resources - Develop alumni networks that support program advancement Humility - Model continuous learning and growth mindset for student-athletes - Seek feedback from multiple sources to enhance program effectiveness - Share credit generously and accept responsibility promptly - Acknowledge limitations and leverage complementary strengths of others - Prioritize program mission over personal recognition Precision - Implement detail-oriented systems in all program aspects - Design purposeful practices where every element serves developmental goals - Utilize data-driven approaches to optimize training methodologies - Maintain clear, consistent communication with all stakeholders - Establish transparent expectations and evaluation criteria Patience - Commit to long-term athlete development over immediate results - Understand the developmental journey of post-graduate athletes - Balance urgency with appropriate developmental timelines - Celebrate incremental progress towards larger goals - Maintain perspective during challenges and setbacks Empathy - Seek to understand each athlete's unique background and perspective - Customize coaching approaches based on individual needs - Create inclusive environment where all feel valued and understood - Demonstrate genuine care for holistic wellbeing of each program member - Balance accountability with compassion ### QUALIFICATIONS Required - Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred - 5+ years coaching experience at high school, collegiate, or professional level - Demonstrated success in basketball program building and athlete development - Evidence of purpose-driven, character-focused coaching philosophy - Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse populations - Willingness to embrace innovative approaches to athletic development - Commitment to athlete mental health and holistic wellbeing - Understanding of post-graduate athlete developmental needs Preferred - Playing experience at collegiate or professional level - Experience specifically with post-graduate or collegiate basketball programs - Background in entrepreneurship or business development - Familiarity with purpose development methodologies - Understanding of mental/behavioral health in athletic contexts - Experience with DISC or similar assessment applications - Demonstrated innovation in coaching approaches - Growth mindset and continuous learning orientation ### APPOINTMENT DETAILS - **Status:** Full-time, 12-month appointment - **Location:** On-campus at OWA with travel for recruitment and competitions - **Housing:** On-campus housing provided as part of compensation package - **Compensation:** - $30,000 annual base salary - Housing and meals included (valued at $15,000-$20,000) - Revenue sharing opportunities for program development - Professional development allowance ($2,000 annually) - Family tuition benefits - **Benefits Package (50% employer/50% employee cost-sharing):** - Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision) - Short-term and long-term disability coverage - Life insurance (1x annual salary) - Retirement plan with 5% employer matching after six-month probationary period - Mental health and wellness services - Prescription drug coverage - Flexible spending account options - Paid parental leave (4 weeks) - Supplemental insurance options (accident, critical illness, etc.) - 24/7 telehealth services - Employee assistance program - **Additional Benefits (Fully Covered by OWA):** - Professional liability insurance - Workers' compensation - Unemployment insurance - On-site fitness facility access - Staff development opportunities - Travel insurance for recruitment and competition travel - **Start Date:** Immediate, with priority consideration for candidates available to begin recruitment for upcoming cohort ### APPLICATION PROCESS Submit the following to : 1. Cover letter addressing: - Your coaching philosophy and how it aligns with purpose-driven development - Your approach to integrating mental/behavioral health into athletic training - Your experience developing daily habits that support long-term success - Your vision for a basketball program that prepares athletes for both basketball advancement and entrepreneurial success 2. Resume/CV detailing coaching experience and accomplishments 3. Statement on how basketball can serve as a vehicle for purpose discovery (1-2 pages) 4. Three professional references with contact information 5. Video introduction (optional but encouraged) **Application Deadline:** Rolling review until position is filled --- *Oklahoma Wildcats Academy is pioneering a new model of higher education through athletic excellence, entrepreneurial mindset, and purpose discovery. Through our innovative "ghost year" program, we're helping college freshmen connect to their purpose and prepare for success at their next institution and throughout life.* *Oklahoma Wildcats Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse coaching staff that reflects our student-athlete population. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in athletics.*