Job Title: Academy Performance Coach
Department: Colorado Rapids
Business Unit: Rapids
Location: Commerce City, CO
Reports To: Academy Director & Director of Player Performance
Employment Type: Full Time – Salaried– Exempt
Supervisor Position: No
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Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American Sports and Entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. KSE is committed to providing world class sports and entertainment for both live and broadcast audiences. We are the employer of choice as the owner and operator of Ball Arena, DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, the Paramount Theatre, 1STBANK Center, Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Altitude Sports & Entertainment, Major League Fishing/Fishing League Worldwide (MLFLW), Winnercomm, Outdoor Sportsman Group and SkyCam.
Nature of Work:
Colorado Rapids is looking for an energetic, engaged, innovative, and highly organized performance coach. The Performance Coach will be directly responsible for facilitating performance training programs for all Academy athletes. Important to this role is the ability to work within a multidisciplinary team and utilize objective data to help inform the training and decision-making process, maximizing the effectiveness of our developmental pathway.
Examples of work performed:
- Design and administer a soccer specific, developmentally driven, and biologically age-appropriate periodization model in coordination with the Player Health and Performance (PHP) Department and Academy Director, facilitating optimal individual player development within a team setting that supports the Colorado Rapids game model and tactical periodization strategy with the primary goal of preparing players to graduate into the Rapids 2 program and long-term vision of signing First Team Homegrown Contracts.
- Assist Academy Director with physical loading parameters of each 6-week training block of work for each team within the Academy (u18, u16, & u15), matching pre-activation plans, on-field activations, gym programming, and recovery strategies to expected movement/load demands presented by each week’s theme, style of play (i.e., high pressure - possession based), and overall club philosophy, developing players who embody the core values of the Colorado Rapids Academy (Humility – Respect – Hard Work – Discipline).
- Create and maintain a strong working partnership with the Academy Athletic Trainers, collaborating to create a unified performance/medical approach as modeled by the First Team and Rapids 2, facilitating a club first, player-centric environment that is committed to selfless service, player/personal development, and elite individual care for all Academy players.
- Serve as a resource to the Academy coaching staff by positively influencing internal and external player loads to optimize adaptation, fitness, and overall development using the PHP developmental framework to guide the developmental process.
- Track and manage player performance profiles for each Academy player, including quarterly maturation measurements to compare chronological and biological age gaps and athletic profile projections based on player’s current biological age, performance testing data, match load output, and any other relevant information.
- Responsible for all performance programming and physical periodization through each phase of the year (i.e., off-season, pre-season, in-season, and post-season).
- Manage all performance technology for the Academy, using PHP department protocols to monitor internal and external training loads and operating within the scope laid out by Sr. Director of Sport and Data Science, Director of Performance, using the following technologies to create individual player profiles:
- STATSports GPS system for both MLS Next Pro-Pathway teams (U18 & U16), guiding the technical staff by providing accurate player load information in real time using live data during training and competition that is in line with optimal training adaptation, development, and overall player safety.
- Upload, cut, and clean data after each training session and competition in a timely fashion, using precise PHP nomenclature to accurately organize and catalogue training session activities and matches, supporting our data informed decision-making process.
- VALD Forcedecks (e.g., CMVJ and IMTP), Forceframe (e.g., Adductor/Abductor squeeze), Nordboard (e.g., Hamstring test), Dynamo, and SmartSpeed Gates (e.g., 10m & 30m sprint testing).
- Bridge Athletic for all individual and team pre-activation plans, corrective exercise strategies, gym program periodization and delivery, and recovery/regen sessions.
- Teamworks Athlete Management System to track Daily Readiness & Availability (i.e., Training Status, Wellness Questionnaire, Session RPE, Hydration Status, Nutrition, etc.), in combination with all other data sources to create a robust player performance profile via aggregation and data visualization as guided by Colorado Rapids appointed (Teamworks AMS) Administrators (Senior Director of Sport & Data Science and Director of Performance).
- Implement an Athlete Education Program including but not limited to mindset, recovery, nutrition/lifestyle, strength training, and injury prevention.
- Provide individualized Return to Play (RTP) Protocols that allow each athlete to progress safely back to full training as guided by existing PHP RTP processes in coordination with Academy ATC and when necessary, Rapids 2 and/or First Team Staff.
- Work with First Team Player Development Coach and PHP Staff to monitor and manage training loads for High Potential Players participating across various teams, playing an active role in the Academy – Rapids 2 – First Team player movement continuum.
- Provide at home training programs for those not traveling, injured, or during cancelled sessions (due to weather).
- Required to generate and submit bi-annual physical profile report for all players in the MLS Pro-Pathway, identifying players with high potential and a brief overview of how we plan to maximize that potential over the Academy lifecycle.
- Create and distribute required reports for national team call ups as required/requested to ensure our high potential players are maintaining their physical preparation and programming while away. Additionally, coordinating with national team performance staff to report physical output during training camps or international competitions to safely reintegrate the player into Academy training, minimizing any risk.
- Serve as a resource for Colorado Rapids Alliance Clubs and work with Academy Scout to build out ideal performance profiles and testing summaries for any trialists that come into the Academy training environment to then compare with existing Rapids players or ideal player profiles.
- Required to attend bi-monthly coaching education sessions (approximately 1 hour every two weeks) to gain a full understanding of the Colorado Rapids game model, style of play, overall club philosophy, amongst other topics.
- Travel as required.
This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed, it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business needs. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
- Stand and walk 1/3 to 2/3 of time.
- Sit up to 1/3 of time.
- Talk or hear 2/3 or more of time.
- Use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl up to 1/3 of time.
- Lift up to 50 lbs. up to 1/3 of time.
- Moderate to loud noise.
- Outdoor weather conditions 1/3 to 2/3 of time.
- Clear vision at 20”, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
- General office equipment including copier, fax, phone, computer/keyboard, etc.
- Company vehicles.
Qualifications
- Minimum
- This individual must possess a minimum of a B.S. in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Performance, Strength & Conditioning, or equivalent.
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.
- NSCA CSCS Certified (or) must obtain certification within first 3 months of employment.
- EXOS Performance Specialist Certification or NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist.
- USSF D License Required (or) must have soccer playing background in a competitive/elite professional or developmental environment that is equivalent to MLS Academy setting.
- USSF Coaching Licenses required each year up through the C License as part of professional development plan to bridge the gap between performance and technical staffs.
Competencies/Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Individual must demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and exhibit proper ethical behavior.
- Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills and the ability to work with a diverse group of individuals.
- Must possess the ability to adapt to unpredictable circumstances and handle a highly demanding work environment.
- Ability to prioritize responsibilities and multi-task effectively.
- Knowledge of professional sports team operations, public relations, and/or sponsor relations is preferred.
- Ability to acquire or produce and maintain a valid Colorado driver’s license and meet company vehicle driving standards.
Compensation
- Base Salary Range $57,784 per annum
Benefits Include
- 12 Paid Company Holidays
- Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Life Insurance
- Short and Long-term Disability
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending plans (FSAs)
- 401K plan and match of .5% up to 3% (I.e., 401k contribution of 6% is matched with 3% from employer) after 1 year of employment.
- Continuing Education budgeted annually upon approval and need of additional skillset, professional development, and maintenance of professional certification requirements.
- Summer Off-Season, approximately 3-4 weeks long, depending on playoff outcomes and Spring pre-season start dates.
- Winter Off-Season, approximately 5 weeks long, depending on Fall pre-season start dates.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
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