Head Men’s Basketball Coach
*All applicants must apply here via the search firm CSA Search & Consulting*
The Head Men’s Basketball Coach, under the administrative direction of the Director of Athletics, provides strategic leadership and overall direction for the California State University Bakersfield NCAA Division I men’s basketball program within the Big West Conference. The position is responsible for building and sustaining a highly competitive program that fosters student-athlete success in academics, athletics, and personal development. The incumbent exercises broad independent judgment in program management, including recruitment, budget oversight, staff supervision, compliance with NCAA and CSU regulations, and public representation of the University. Serving as a visible ambassador for CSUB Athletics, the Head Coach plays a key role in promoting institutional values, generating external support, and advancing the University’s mission through excellence in athletics and student achievement.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Men’s Basketball Program Administration/Leadership
- Provide overall leadership, vision, and direction for the CSUB Division I men’s basketball program.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive program strategy consistent with University, CSU, Big West Conference, and NCAA goals.
- Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant coaches, graduate assistants, and support staff, ensuring that the program is operated in compliance with NCAA, Conference and University rules.
- Manage all aspects of the program budget, including forecasting, monitoring, and reconciling expenditures in compliance with University and CSU policies.
- Direct practice planning, game strategies, training regimens, and competition schedules to maximize performance.
- Develop policies, procedures, and operational systems that ensure program efficiency and compliance.
- Provide leadership in long-term planning for facilities, equipment, and program growth.
Recruitment & Student-Athlete Development
- Lead the recruitment and retention of prospective student-athletes with the academic and athletic potential to succeed at CSUB.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with high school and community college coaches, prospective student-athletes, and families nationwide.
- Design and implement student-athlete development programs addressing technical skills, strength and conditioning, leadership, and character growth.
- Foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and sportsmanship, serving as a role model for young men from diverse backgrounds.
- Monitor and support academic progress in collaboration with academic services to ensure NCAA eligibility, degree completion, and life after sport.
- Provide mentoring and guidance to help student-athletes manage personal, social, and athletic challenges.
- Develop leadership opportunities for student-athletes that encourage community involvement, civic engagement, and representation of the University.
Compliance
- Ensure strict adherence to NCAA, Big West Conference, CSU, and CSUB rules, policies, and procedures.
- Serve as the primary compliance officer for the program, ensuring staff and student-athletes remain current on all regulations.
- Collaborate with Athletics Compliance staff to educate and monitor all individuals associated with the program.
- Maintain accurate recruiting logs, eligibility documentation, and other records required for compliance audits.
- Establish team rules and codes of conduct consistent with NCAA and University expectations for ethics, sportsmanship, and integrity.
- Partner with faculty and advisors to monitor student-athlete academic standing, class attendance, and degree progress.
- Proactively address potential risks to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all student-athletes.
- Model professional conduct and maintain a climate that supports Title IX compliance, equity in athletics, and institutional values.
Public Relations
- Represent the men’s basketball program as a visible ambassador for CSUB Athletics on local, regional, and national platforms.
- Collaborate with University Advancement and Athletics Development staff to cultivate donor relationships, secure financial support, and generate revenue streams.
- Schedule, negotiate, and participate in “Guarantee Games” and other high-profile competitions that enhance exposure and revenue.
- Engage alumni, boosters, and community partners in support of the program and Athletics Department priorities.
- Work with media relations staff to promote the program, ensuring positive representation through interviews, press releases, and appearances.
- Participate in University and community events to enhance the visibility of CSUB and its Athletics programs.
- Foster relationships with campus partners, including faculty, staff, and student organizations, to integrate athletics into the broader University experience.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university. Minimum of seven (7) years’ demonstrated successful coaching experience at the collegiate level, with progressive responsibility in program management and leadership. Experience should include recruiting and retaining student athletes, budget management, staff supervision, and program management.
LICENSES – Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’s):
- Regular and reliable attendance is required.
- Ability to provide vision, direction, and long-term planning for a Division I program, including supervising staff, managing budgets, and coordinating program operations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of NCAA, conference, CSU, and institutional rules and regulations, with the ability to interpret, apply, and ensure strict compliance.
- Skill in identifying, recruiting, and developing Division I caliber student-athletes while promoting academic success, graduation, and holistic development.
- Ability to represent the University positively through media, alumni, donors, and community engagement.
- Ability to mentor, support, and relate to student-athletes from diverse backgrounds, promoting inclusion, equity, and student well-being.
- Knowledge and ability to cultivate donor relationships, support fundraising initiatives, and build community partnerships that advance program goals.
- Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking ability to make independent decisions in high-pressure situations (e.g., game strategy, crisis response, compliance issues).
- Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
- Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
- Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
- Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
- Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
- Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
- Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
- Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., Education, Sports Management, Kinesiology, or Administration).
- Head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level.
- Established record of success in competitive performance and post-season play.
- Demonstrated fundraising, donor relations, and community engagement experience.
- Experience mentoring and supporting student-athletes in academic, athletic, and personal development.
- Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment, possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered attitude.
COMPENSATION: This appointment is in the Management Personnel Plan and is a full-time, 12-month position. The pay basis is monthly.
ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $295,000 - $315,000 annually
- However, offer amount will be commensurate with candidate’s experience, education, skills, and training.
CSU CLASSIFICATION SALARY RANGE: $121,272 - $389,292 annually
FOR PRIORITY CONSIDERATION, applications must be received by February 28, 2026; however, the position will remain open until filled.
APPLICATION PROCESS: To ensure consideration, please apply directly to https://csasearch.consulting/?opportunity=cal-state-bakersfield-head-mens-basketball-coach
BENEFITS: CSUB offers a best-in-class benefit package for eligible employees that includes an array of medical plans, choice of dental plans, vision coverage, retirement participation in CalPERS, CSU tuition waiver, up to 24 vacation days per year, sick leave with unlimited accrual, 15 paid holidays per year and more! See our benefits website for additional information.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
SCREENING: Only those applicants possessing experience most directly related to the immediate needs of the office will be invited to appear before a Qualifications Appraisal Board for the purpose of appraising training, experience, and interest in the position.
BACKGROUND CHECK: Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.
SENSITIVE POSITION: Sensitive positions are designated by the CSU as requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position, based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of the people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to the CSU or individuals in the university community.
Candidate must be committed to the adherence of NCAA rules and regulations.
MANDATED REPORTER: The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: A “designated position” in the CSU’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
GENERAL INFORMATION: It is the policy of California State University, Bakersfield to hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to present documentation verifying their right to accept employment. You will also be requested to present a social security card at the time of initial appointment in compliance with state payroll regulations. State regulations require that every state employee sign the Oath of Allegiance prior to commencing the duties of his/her state employment, except legally employed non-citizens. These individuals are required to sign the Declaration of Permission to Work.
The California State University (“CSU”), including California State University, Bakersfield is committed to an inclusive and equitable community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students and employees have the right to participate fully in CSU programs, activities, admission, and employment free from discrimination, harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking and retaliation. The CSU Nondiscrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on any protected status, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, prohibited consensual relationships, and retaliation.
Campus contact for our Nondiscrimination policy is Allan Williams, AVP of Civil Rights and Compliance, (661) 654-2713.