Description

Stillman College, West Alabama's only four-year HBCU and one of the nation's most storied historically Black institutions, is at a defining inflection point in its history. Celebrating its sesquicentennial, Stillman is navigating the opportunities and pressures reshaping American higher education—enrollment growth and diversification, institutional sustainability, new strategic partnerships, and the imperative to translate a proud legacy into a vibrant future.

The return of competitive football to Stillman is among the most consequential expressions of that work. The College seeks a Head Football Coach to build the program within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the program’s affiliation conference, and who understands that the assignment reaches well beyond wins and losses. Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Head Football Coach will serve as one of the College's most visible ambassadors, a frontline recruiter whose signing classes directly shape enrollment, and a culture-shaper whose program models the discipline, character, and academic seriousness Stillman expects of every student.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a coach who is drawn not only to the responsibilities of the role, but to the rare chance to build a program from its foundation at an institution of irreplaceable cultural significance. The successful candidate will lead a program that reflects Stillman's identity as a historically Black, Presbyterian-affiliated liberal arts college and will develop scholar-athletes of character consistent with the NAIA Champions of Character initiative.

Key Priorities and Early Leadership Agenda

The incoming Head Football Coach will be expected to make meaningful progress in the following areas within the first 12–24 months:

• Recruiting and enrolling a first full signing class that meets roster needs and contributes measurably to the College's new-student enrollment and residence hall occupancy targets
• Assembling, developing, and retaining a coaching staff and football support staff aligned with the program's academic and character standards
• Establishing NAIA and the program’s affiliating conference compliance practices, including eligibility certification through the NAIA Eligibility Center, roster management, and athletics aid reporting
• Building an academic support structure for student-athletes, including study hall, tutoring, and early intervention, in partnership with the Office of the Registrar and academic support staff
• Establishing the NAIA Champions of Character core values—integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership—as the operating foundation of the program
• Creating game-day traditions and engagement practices that strengthen campus spirit, alumni participation, and community pride
• Partnering with the Director of Athletics and Institutional Advancement to build football-specific fundraising and donor cultivation
• Establishing retention practices that keep student-athletes progressing academically, financially, and athletically from year to year

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Head Football Coach reports directly to the Director of Athletics and provides strategic, ethical, and student-centered leadership for all aspects of the Stillman College football program. The position directly supervises assistant football coaches, graduate assistants, and football program support staff.

The Head Football Coach has responsibility for the following functional areas:

• Football operations, including practice, competition, conditioning, and travel
• Recruitment and retention of student-athletes
• NAIA and conference compliance
• Academic monitoring and student-athlete development
• Coaching staff supervision and development
• Football fundraising and donor engagement, in partnership with Institutional Advancement
• Care of assigned athletic facilities and equipment

Enrollment Impact and Recruitment

• Recognize that football is among the College's largest single drivers of new-student headcount, and that each recruiting class directly shapes fall enrollment, net tuition revenue, and residence hall occupancy
• Serve as an active partner to the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Management, sharing prospect data, participating in recruitment events and signing day activities, and aligning recruiting timelines with institutional enrollment deadlines
• Recruit student-athletes who are admissible, retainable, and likely to persist to graduation, balancing competitive roster needs against the College's retention and completion goals
• Maintain recruiting pipelines and prospect communication cadences that support the College's annual new-student enrollment targets
• Support melt-reduction and yield efforts by maintaining regular contact with committed recruits through the enrollment funnel, in coordination with Admissions
• Support the retention of current student-athletes from year to year, monitoring athletic fit alongside academic and financial standing
• The candidate will demonstrate a strong understanding of the HBCU experience and the unique role athletics plays in student recruitment, retention, institutional branding, and community engagement.

Program Leadership and NAIA Compliance

• Plan, organize, and administer all aspects of the football program, including practices, competitions, conditioning, and travel, in accordance with NAIA, conference, and College rules
• Ensure full compliance with NAIA eligibility requirements, including verification of student-athlete eligibility through the NAIA Eligibility Center, roster limits, and financial aid and scholarship reporting
• Maintain current knowledge of NAIA bylaws, conference regulations, and Stillman College institutional policy, and promptly report any known or suspected violation to the Director of Athletics and the Compliance Officer
• Participate in NAIA Champions of Character program requirements, including required trainings and student-athlete character-education programming
• Maintains accurate recruiting and eligibility records

Academic Success and Student Development

• Ensure the football program maintains NAIA academic progress and eligibility standards each term
• Require and monitor participation in study hall, tutoring, and academic advising for at-risk student-athletes
• Conduct regular academic progress reviews with the Office of the Registrar and academic support staff, and intervene early when a student-athlete's standing is at risk
• Partner with Student Affairs and academic support units to ensure student-athletes are fully integrated into campus life rather than siloed within athletics

Culture, Character, and Community Engagement

• Model and enforce the standards of conduct, sportsmanship, and academic integrity expected of all Stillman College students
• Use the NAIA Champions of Character core values as the foundation of program culture and daily practice
• Use game days, practices, and team traditions to strengthen campus spirit, alumni engagement, and community pride, as a visible expression of campus identity
• Champion a program culture of accountability and service, including organized community engagement in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding area, reflecting the College's heritage of service

Fundraising, Budget, and External Relations

• Partner with the Director of Athletics and Institutional Advancement on football-specific fundraising, donor cultivation, and budget management
• Represent the football program and Stillman College at community, alumni, and donor events
• Represent the College professionally with prospective students and their families, alumni, donors, and the media

People Leadership and Organizational Development

• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant coaches, graduate assistants, and football program support staff
• Build a staff culture of accountability, collegiality, and continuous improvement
• Support the professional development of coaching staff, including currency with NAIA rules, safety protocols, and contemporary coaching practice

Health, Safety, and Facilities

• Work with Athletic Training staff to ensure that student-athlete health and safety protocols are followed at all practices and competitions
• Maintain appropriate care of athletic facilities and equipment in coordination with Athletics and Facilities staff
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics

Qualifications and Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution; a master's degree is preferred. A minimum of three (3) years of collegiate coaching experience is required, with prior coordinator or head coaching experience preferred. The successful candidate will bring working knowledge of NAIA rules and regulations, or the demonstrated ability to acquire that proficiency quickly, together with a demonstrated record of successful student-athlete recruitment and retention and a demonstrated commitment to the academic success and personal development of student-athletes. A valid driver's license and the ability to pass a background check consistent with College and NAIA requirements are required.

Highly Desired Experience

• Prior head coaching experience at the NAIA, NCAA, or comparable collegiate level
• Experience at a historically Black college or university, or at another faith-affiliated institution
• Established regional or national recruiting network, particularly across Alabama and the Southeast
• Demonstrated success in donor engagement or athletics fundraising
• Experience building or rebuilding a program, given Stillman's return to competitive football

Leadership Attributes

• Strong leadership, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to represent Stillman College professionally with prospective students, families, alumni, donors, and the media
• Sound judgment and integrity in high-pressure, public-facing situations
• An ethical leader who acts with integrity, treats others fairly, and demonstrates resilience and grace under pressure
• A demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Stillman College

Working Conditions

This position requires irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, particularly during recruiting periods and the competitive season. Regular travel is required for recruiting, competition, and program-related events. The role involves both office-based administrative work and active on-field coaching duties in varied outdoor conditions.

Background Investigation Statement

Before hiring, the final candidate(s) must pass a pre-employment background investigation, including information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation does NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a previous conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review before a hiring decision is made.

Application

Review of applications will begin immediately and remain open until the position is filled. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, a resume or curriculum vitae, and a list of at least three professional references. 

Stillman College is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate unlawfully in employment matters based on race, religion, gender, color, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, or any other category protected by law.

This position description reflects the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Stillman College reserves the right to modify this description at any time.