The University of Missouri Department of Athletics is seeking an experienced and dynamic Head Diving Coach to support its NCAA Division I Swimming & Diving Program competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Reporting to the Head Swimming & Diving Coach, this position will oversee all aspects of the diving program, including coaching, recruiting, competition preparation, and student-athlete development. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, recruiting success, and a commitment to developing elite divers in a highly competitive environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Coaching and Athlete Development (45%)
• Plan and lead all diving practices, including technical and tactical instruction. • Teach and refine diving fundamentals, including springboard and platform techniques. • Develop individualized training plans to maximize athlete performance. • Prepare student-athletes for dual meets, invitationals, conference, and NCAA competition. • Analyze performance through video review and technical feedback. • Provide in-meet coaching, strategy adjustments, and performance evaluation. • Monitor athlete progress, scoring trends, and competitive readiness. • Establish and enforce high standards of discipline, focus, and accountability. • Collaborate with strength and conditioning staff on dryland and injury prevention programs. • Foster a positive, competitive, and growth-oriented training environment.
2. Recruiting (35%)
• Identify, evaluate, and recruit prospective student-athletes at the national and international levels. • Build and maintain relationships with club coaches, high school programs, and families. • Communicate consistently with recruiting prospects and manage recruiting pipelines. • Coordinate official and unofficial visits to campus. • Travel to competitions, showcases, and recruiting events as permitted. • Evaluate diving performance through video analysis and live competition. • Utilize recruiting databases to track and organize prospects. • Support roster management, including retention and transfer portal recruiting. • Represent the University of Missouri Diving program with professionalism and integrity.
3. Student-Athlete Support and Mentorship (10%)
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and personal development guidance to student-athletes. • Promote academic success, accountability, and time management. • Assist with onboarding and transition of new student-athletes into the program. • Build a strong team culture emphasizing trust, cohesion, and excellence.
4. Operations and Compliance (10%)
• Oversee diving program operations, including scheduling, equipment, and meet logistics. • Coordinate use of video analysis and performance tracking tools. • Collaborate with athletic department staff including athletic trainers, academic services, and administration. • Ensure full compliance with NCAA, SEC, and University regulations.
Established in 1839, the University of Missouri knows what it means to be first. We were the first public university west of the Mississippi River. We are home to the world’s first journalism school. We started the tradition of homecoming. As a flagship, land-grant institution and one of only 65 universities across the U.S. and Canada to be a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, we are a campus where empathy, innovation and hard work combine to solve the world’s grand challenges. Our community of students, faculty and staff enhances bovine reproduction, composes award-winning music and generates life-saving radioisotopes in the most powerful university research reactor in the country. We tackle diverse problems because Missouri is a diverse state — from the southern Ozarks to the northern plains. We are Mizzou, where Black and Gold runs deep and Truman the Tiger embodies our bold spirit.
