USA Field Hockey is the National Governing Body for the sport of field hockey in the USA.USA Field Hockey has over 27,000 members and oversees the junior national and Olympic teams and is responsible for the development and promotion of the game throughout the USA. As part of its continuing drive to achieve and maintain international excellence in the men’s game, USA Field Hockey is looking to recruit a head coach for the men’s U21 team. 

 The U21 Men’s National Team Head Coach will lead the identification, development, and performance of the nation’s top junior male athletes, preparing them to transition successfully to the Senior Men’s National Team. This role is central to building a high-performance environment that aligns with national team culture, standards, and long-term strategic objectives, while also delivering results at key international competitions.

 Key Responsibilities:

1.      Program Leadership & Vision

·         Uphold, model, and teach the Men’s National Team standards, expectations, and culture, ensuring alignment between the U21 program and the senior team.

·         Establish a clear long-term development pathway that supports sustained athlete growth and readiness for senior international competition.

·         Balance long-term strategic objectives with short-term performance needs, ensuring both are addressed with equal clarity and intent.

 

2.      Athlete Development & Performance

·         Drive a relentless pursuit of excellence by setting and upholding daily high-performance behaviors.

·         Create and deliver an individualized long-term athlete development framework, focused on technical, tactical, physical, and psychological growth.

·         Provide athletes with continuous feedback, coach lead and athletes lead based on objective data, match analysis, and observed behaviors to accelerate learning and readiness.

·         Prepare athletes for the demands of senior international hockey by progressively increasing exposure to high-performance environments, competition standards, and accountability structures.

 

3.      Staff Management & Collaboration

·         Lead, manage, and evaluate all U21 program staff, clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and expectations to ensure an efficient and unified team.

·         Manage staff personalities and working styles, fostering a positive and high output working environment.

·         Work closely and collaboratively with the Senior National Team staff to ensure integration of systems, terminology, and tactical frameworks.

·         Operate under the guidance and direction of the Jr Hight Performance Director and the Men’s Senior National Team Head Coach, contributing to the overall men’s program strategy.

 

4.      Culture & Standards

·         Model servant leadership, putting the needs of the athletes and program first while setting the highest personal and professional example.

·         Embed the national team culture into every aspect of the U21 program and ensure all athletes and staff are held accountable to these expectations.

·         Ensure athletes understand the standards of professionalism required at the senior level, including training habits, lifestyle choices, and commitment to team values.

 

5.      Administration & Operations

·         Plan, coordinate, and deliver training camps, matches, and tournaments with meticulous attention to detail in logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation.

·         Maintain strong administrative systems for athlete tracking, performance data, scouting reports, and communication with stakeholders.

·         Manage program budgets responsibly, maximizing the value of available resources and finding solutions when faced with constraints.

 

6.      Communication & Relationship Management

·         Maintain strong communication channels with athletes, staff, parents, and governing body representatives.

·         Present information clearly and confidently, adapting style to suit diverse audiences and situations.

·         Build trust and buy-in from a large group of athletes and staff, aligning them toward shared goals and objectives.

Key Attributes & Competencies

·         Attention to Detail: Meticulous in planning, reviewing, and delivering all aspects of the program.

·         Ambition & Drive: Demonstrates hunger to achieve the highest possible standards for self, athletes, and program.

·         Vision & Perspective: Balances big-picture strategic goals with immediate operational demands.

·         Group Leadership: Able to mobilize and inspire large groups, creating unity of purpose and collective energy.

·         Problem Solving: Finds effective solutions under pressure, adapting to challenges with available resources.

·         Servant Leadership: Places the needs of the program and athletes first, modeling humility, resilience, and selflessness.

Minimum Qualifications

·         Proven experience coaching in a high-performance hockey or elite sport environment, preferably at national or professional level.

·         Demonstrated success in long-term athlete development and transitioning players to higher performance levels.

·         High-level technical and tactical hockey knowledge, aligned with international standards.

·         Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills.

·         Excellent administrative and organizational capabilities.

·         Willingness and ability to travel extensively for training camps, competitions, and scouting.

Performance Measures

·         Alignment of U21 program outcomes with Men’s Senior National Team goals.

·         Athlete progression from U21 to senior level, both in performance and cultural readiness.

·         Achievement of agreed competition performance targets.

·         Quality and efficiency of staff operations within the U21 program.

·         Upholding of national team standards, culture, and values.

Reports to: Junior High-Performance Director and Men’s Senior National Team Head Coach

Work Location: Various. The Men’s Junior High-Performance Program is remote, with travel for camps, competitions, and scouting, mainly based in Charlotte, NC.
 Salary Range: Volunteer Position

 

This job description is not to be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive. It is intended as an indication of the areas of activity and will be amended considering the changing needs of the organization.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.