Head Varsity Football Coach at Lansing School District in Lansing, MI

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.

In pursuit of this mission, we are looking to hire a, Head Varsity Football Coach. Lansing Eastern High School is a diverse, historic, and proudly community-centered school committed to developing scholar-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. We are seeking a dynamic, student-focused leader to guide our varsity football program as we continue to build competitive excellence, strong character, and a culture of teamwork.

The Head Varsity Football Coach is responsible for building and leading a comprehensive football program focused on player development, academic support, leadership, safety, and community engagement. This position requires a coach who models integrity, demonstrates high football IQ, and can inspire student-athletes to reach their full potential.

Minimum Qualifications

• Previous high school or collegiate football coaching experience (head coaching experience preferred).
• CPR, First Aid, AED, and concussion-training certifications (or ability to obtain prior to season).
• Strong knowledge of football strategy, player development, and program management.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with students and staff.
• Commitment to equity, student safety, and academic accountability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate or experience working in K–12 settings.
• Experience turning around or building programs.
• Proven success in developing athletes for the next level.
• Ability to engage families and community stakeholders.
• Strength and conditioning background.

Job Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Vision
• Develop and articulate an overall vision for the football program (9–12), aligned with Lansing Eastern and district athletic goals.
• Establish a positive, inclusive, and disciplined culture focused on effort, improvement, and teamwork.
• Plan and implement effective in-season and out-of-season training, practices, and game strategies.
• Player Development & Well-Being
• Teach fundamental skills, advanced techniques, and position-specific instruction.
• Monitor academic progress and collaborate with staff to ensure student-athletes stay on track.
• Maintain high expectations for sportsmanship, conduct, attendance, and commitment.
• Ensure all safety protocols, including concussion and heat guidelines, are rigorously followed.
• Program Operations
• Oversee recruitment, development, and supervision of assistant coaches.
• Manage equipment, uniforms, inventory, and coordination with district athletic staff.
• Support strength and conditioning programming for all levels.
• Coordinate scouting, film review, playbook design, and game-day logistics.
• Community & Family Engagement
• Build strong relationships with families, community partners, youth programs, and alumni.
• Represent Lansing Eastern with professionalism in all MHSAA and league interactions.
• Support camps, clinics, and outreach that expand interest in Eastern football.

At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.

We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.

Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.

External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.

Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.

Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!

This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).