Head Softball Coach - Full Time

Head Softball Coach - Full Time

Department: Athletics
Reports To: Director of Athletics

Position Summary

The Head Softball Coach provides visionary leadership for a competitive intercollegiate softball program while intentionally discipling and mentoring student-athletes to grow spiritually, academically, athletically, and personally.

Reporting to the Director of Athletics, the Head Softball Coach is responsible for all aspects of the softball program, which competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), and the Crossroads League. The successful candidate will embrace Bethel's commitment to biblical truth, community, and leadership development, and the athletic department's mission to be Christ-centered, culture-driven, and competitively excellent.

Essential Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Spiritual Formation

• Lead the softball program in a manner that reflects Bethel University's Christ-centered values, emphasizing servant leadership, integrity, humility, and accountability.
• Model an authentic Christian faith and integrate discipleship, prayer, and mentorship into the daily life of the program.
• Establish and sustain a positive, growth-oriented team culture that supports both competitive excellence and spiritual development.
• Recruit, supervise, and mentor assistant coaches in alignment with the mission and expectations of Bethel University.

Coaching & Competitive Excellence

• Plan and conduct effective practices, training sessions, and game preparation to maximize individual and team development.
• Provide leadership in game strategy, player evaluation, and skill development consistent with collegiate best practices.
• Foster a program that competes with excellence, sportsmanship, and respect for opponents and officials.

Recruiting & Enrollment Partnership

• Recruit and retain student-athletes who are academically capable, spiritually aligned, and committed to Bethel University's mission.
• Collaborate closely with the Office of Admissions to support institutional enrollment goals.
• Maintain compliance with all NAIA, NCCAA, conference, and university recruiting and eligibility standards.

Student-Athlete Development & Success

• Support the holistic development of student-athletes, emphasizing academic achievement, personal responsibility, leadership, and service.
• Monitor academic progress and collaborate with campus partners to promote retention and graduation.
• Prepare student-athletes for lives of purpose and service beyond their collegiate experience.

Administration, Compliance & Operations

• Oversee program operations including scheduling, travel, budgeting, equipment, facility care and coordination.
• Ensure full compliance with NAIA, NCCAA, conference, and Bethel University policies and procedures.
• Complete all required administrative tasks, reports, and evaluations in a timely and professional manner.

Campus & Community Engagement

• Serve as a positive ambassador for Bethel University within the campus community, local community, alumni network, and broader baseball community.
• Participate in campus life, including chapel services, spiritual formation opportunities, and university events.
• Support the mission of the Athletic Department and contribute to a collaborative, mission-driven culture with an emphasis on being Christ-centered, relationally driven and competitively excellent.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (Master's degree preferred).
• Collegiate coaching experience with evidence of leadership, discipleship, recruiting, player development, and program organization.
• Strong understanding of recruiting practices and collegiate softball operations.
• Clear personal commitment to Jesus Christ and agreement with Bethel University's doctrinal statement.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Position Expectations

• Full-time, 12-month appointment.
• Evening, weekend, and travel responsibilities required.
• Active participation in the spiritual life and mission of Bethel University is an essential function of the position.

Application Process

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter
• Résumé with three professional references
• Statement of Christian faith

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

About Bethel University

For more information, visit our website at www.betheluniversity.edu

Bethel University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal laws. In keeping with the mission of the institution, Bethel University seeks applicants with a strong commitment to the values and lifestyle of evangelical Christianity and who profess a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a Christian institution, we require faculty and staff to adhere to the University's Lifestyle Covenant and to enforce a religiously based statement of responsibilities for all University employees. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Bethel University, as an educational institution operating under the auspices of the Missionary Church, reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (Title VII, Sections 702-703, United States Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended).