Director Football Academics

The office of Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) is committed to is committed to promoting integrity, collaboration, and innovation while providing comprehensive services to enhance the holistic development of USF student-athletes as they progress towards their degree, compete for championships and prepare for life after sport.
 

Reporting directly to the Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS), the Director of Football Academic Services in Undergraduate Studies/Academic Services in Athletics will lead the academic support services for USF football student-athletes and direct a small team of academic coordinators. The Director of Football Academic Services must possess and demonstrate a  exceptional administrative ability and understanding of NCAA, Conference, and University rules and regulations as they apply to the provision of academic support to student athletes.
 

This position is responsible for the planning, implementation and evaluation of academic support programming and academic progress monitoring for the assigned student-athlete caseload. This includes preparing and analyzing reports, leading and participating in meetings with coaching staff and administration, participation in university committees and meetings, conducting one-on-ones with staff and student-athletes, and assisting with recruiting-related events.
 

This position serves on the SAAS leadership team, mentors and trains academic coordinators working with students on the football team and maintains an environment of compliance while supporting the unit's academic initiatives.

Responsibilities

Functional Area Leadership of Football Academic Support Program:

• Work with Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services to establish the strategic direction, structure, and long-term vision for the football academic support program.
   

•  Responsible for proactive and strategic planning involving support, advising, mentoring and development of current, former and future student-athletes.
   

• Collaborate with Academic Services, Athletics, Undergraduate Studies (UGS), campus partners, and coaching staff in supporting student-athletes and applicable programming.

Reporting, Data Tracking and Athletics Certification:

• Develop, implement, and manage individual Academic Success Plans (ASPs) for all assigned student-athletes.
   

• Provide timely, detailed daily reports, grade updates, and performance assessments to maintain real-time awareness of the academic progress of all assigned student athletes.
   

• Oversee the monitoring and tracking of continuing eligibility requirements, including management of applicable reports for all assigned student-athletes.
   

• Collaborate with Academic Services, Athletics Compliance and the University Registrar in support of the Athletics certification process.

Advising and Academic Planning:

• Provide academic advising and counseling while maintaining accurate degree plans to new and continuing student-athletes in alignment with NCAA,
  Conference, and institutional policies.
   

• Review and confirm transfer assessments in collaboration with the University Registrar.

Employee and Departmental Management Support:

• Provide direct supervision, coaching and performance guidance to assigned administrative staff and academic intern(s).
   

• Serve as support for the Director and provide leadership and guidance to all other team members.

Contribute to Team Effort:

• Support IGNITE Summer Bridge Program; communicate with incoming football students, manage their classroom performance; assess their study needs in collaboration with the Learning Specialist team; assign academic support services.
   

• Represent Academic Services in meetings and on select committees across UGS and campus when Associate Athletic Director of SAAS not available.
   

• Regularly collaborate with coworkers, campus partners, athletic department partners, and supervisor to successfully achieve mutually sought goals for the department and university
   

• Accept additional responsibilities and assignments at the direction of the Associate Athletic Director of SAAS

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position requires Master's or a Bachelor's degree.

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in advising, athletics, or related academic functions within higher education, regardless of degree level.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in academic support for student-athletes, ideally with primary responsibility for
  football.
   

• Prior experience supervising full-time staff, graduate assistants, or interns.
   

• Excellent knowledge and working experience with NCAA eligibility rules and regulations.
   

• Excellent written and oral communication, computer, and organizational skills.
   

• Experience leading or contributing to academic program development, assessment, or strategic planning.
   

• Experience with degree audits, transfer articulation, and registrar processes related to student-athlete eligibility.
   

• Familiarity with platforms such as Teamworks, Degree Works, Banner, or comparable advising/athletic management systems.
   

• Demonstrated ability to present information to coaches, senior administrators, committees, or campus partners.