Head Wrestling Coach

# HEAD WRESTLING COACH

## Oklahoma Wildcats Academy

*Forging Purpose-Driven Champions Through Wrestling's Unique Discipline*

### POSITION OVERVIEW

Oklahoma Wildcats Academy (OWA) seeks a transformative Head Wrestling Coach to establish a program that redefines athletic development through our purpose-driven approach. This groundbreaking opportunity invites an innovative coach to build a comprehensive wrestling program that leverages the sport's unique attributes—individual accountability, mental fortitude, discipline, and personal growth—as powerful vehicles for holistic development and purpose discovery.

As Head Wrestling Coach, you will pioneer an approach that begins with mental and behavioral wellness as the foundation for athletic achievement, while establishing daily habits that cultivate leadership, resilience, and purpose clarity. You'll create an environment where wrestling serves as a laboratory for character development, where the intense individual nature of the sport becomes a pathway to deeper self-understanding, and where the wrestling room becomes a transformative space for purpose-aligned growth.

### THE OWA DIFFERENCE

Oklahoma Wildcats Academy provides a transformative post-graduate program for college freshmen, offering athletic development, entrepreneurship education, and academic advancement without starting the NCAA eligibility clock. Through our partnership with Voice Up, we've created an environment where wrestling serves as a pathway to purpose discovery—preparing student-athletes to excel at their next institution while developing the mindset, habits, and skills to succeed throughout life.

As we advance toward becoming a fully accredited Division I independent university, we're establishing a new model of athletic coaching that measures success not merely by wins and collegiate advancement, but by purpose clarity, entrepreneurial development, and holistic growth that extends far beyond the mat.

### CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Purpose-Driven Wrestling Development

- Integrate Voice Up's purpose discovery methodologies into all aspects of wrestling training and competition

- Utilize DISC assessments to customize coaching approaches for each student-athlete

- Implement purpose metrics to track growth in self-awareness, mission clarity, and purpose-aligned decision making

- Design training sessions that connect wrestling's unique demands to personal purpose development

- Create reflective practices that help wrestlers discover how their sport-specific abilities connect to their unique life purpose

- Develop innovative approaches leveraging wrestling's intensity for deeper character development

Mental and Behavioral Health Foundation

- Establish proactive mental wellness practices as the foundation of wrestling performance

- Design training environments that build psychological resilience alongside physical development

- Implement evidence-based approaches for developing focus, composure, and emotional regulation

- Utilize the challenges of weight management to teach discipline and healthy relationship with nutrition

- Collaborate with mental health professionals to create wrestling-specific mental wellness protocols

- Regularly assess team mental health climate and adjust coaching approaches accordingly

Technical Program Excellence

- Design and implement comprehensive wrestling development systems across all weight classes

- Establish appropriate training methodologies and competitive schedules for post-graduate athletes

- Develop technical frameworks that prepare wrestlers for diverse collegiate programs

- Balance fundamental skill mastery with advanced technique development

- Utilize performance analytics to customize development approaches for each athlete

- Create individualized training plans alongside team development initiatives

Entrepreneurial Integration

- Collaborate with entrepreneurship faculty to connect wrestling principles to business development

- Guide athletes in identifying potential entrepreneurial opportunities related to wrestling

- Connect wrestling concepts (discipline, resilience, strategic thinking) to business success

- Support wrestlers in developing their personal brand and professional network

- Incorporate entrepreneurial thinking into program development and resource allocation

- Model entrepreneurial leadership in program innovation and problem-solving

Team Culture Development

- Foster an environment where individual purpose and team mission harmoniously align

- Implement leadership development strategies despite wrestling's individual nature

- Create accountability systems that enhance both personal and team excellence

- Design team-building experiences that honor individual journeys while building collective identity

- Develop traditions and rituals that reinforce purpose-driven program values

- Establish wrestling room culture that balances intense work with supportive community

Daily Habit Formation

- Implement structured systems for intentional habit development on and off the mat

- Design daily training routines that reinforce purpose-aligned behaviors

- Create accountability frameworks for personal growth commitments

- Teach methodologies for self-regulation and progress tracking

- Connect daily wrestling disciplines to long-term purpose fulfillment

- Model personal habit excellence and transparent growth

### LEADERSHIP APPROACH

The ideal candidate will embody and advance Voice Up's core principles:

Collaboration

- Foster genuine teamwork despite wrestling's individual competitive nature

- Build coaching staff with complementary expertise across weight classes and styles

- Integrate seamlessly with academic, entrepreneurial, and purpose development staff

- Create partnership opportunities with external wrestling organizations and resources

- Develop alumni networks that support program advancement

Humility

- Model continuous learning and growth mindset for student-athletes

- Seek feedback from multiple sources to enhance program effectiveness

- Share credit generously and accept responsibility promptly

- Acknowledge limitations and leverage complementary strengths of others

- Prioritize program mission over personal recognition

Precision

- Implement detail-oriented systems in all program aspects

- Design purposeful practices where every drill serves developmental goals

- Utilize data-driven approaches to optimize training methodologies

- Maintain clear, consistent communication with all stakeholders

- Establish transparent expectations and evaluation criteria

Patience

- Commit to long-term athlete development over immediate results

- Understand the developmental journey of post-graduate wrestlers

- Balance urgency with appropriate developmental timelines

- Celebrate incremental progress towards larger goals

- Maintain perspective during challenges and setbacks

Empathy

- Seek to understand each athlete's unique background and perspective

- Customize coaching approaches based on individual needs and weight classes

- Create inclusive environment where all wrestlers feel valued and understood

- Demonstrate genuine care for holistic wellbeing of each program member

- Balance wrestling's intensity with compassionate support

### QUALIFICATIONS

Required

- Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred

- 5+ years coaching experience at high school, collegiate, or international level

- Demonstrated success in wrestling program building and athlete development

- Bronze certification or higher from USA Wrestling (or equivalent international certification)

- Evidence of purpose-driven, character-focused coaching philosophy

- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse populations

- Willingness to embrace innovative approaches to athletic development

- Commitment to athlete mental health and holistic wellbeing

Preferred

- Personal competitive experience at collegiate or international level

- Silver or Gold certification from USA Wrestling

- Experience specifically with post-graduate or collegiate wrestling programs

- Background in entrepreneurship or business development

- Familiarity with purpose development methodologies

- Understanding of mental/behavioral health in athletic contexts

- Experience with DISC or similar assessment applications

- Demonstrated innovation in coaching approaches

- Growth mindset and continuous learning orientation

### APPOINTMENT DETAILS

- **Status:** Full-time, 12-month appointment

- **Location:** On-campus at OWA with travel for recruitment and competitions

- **Housing:** On-campus housing provided as part of compensation package

- **Compensation:**

- $30,000-$45,000 annual base salary

- Housing and meals included (valued at $15,000-$20,000)

- Revenue sharing opportunities for program development

- Professional development allowance ($2,000 annually)

- Family tuition benefits

- **Benefits Package (50% employer/50% employee cost-sharing):**

- Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)

- Short-term and long-term disability coverage

- Life insurance (1x annual salary)

- Retirement plan with 5% employer matching after six-month probationary period

- Mental health and wellness services

- Prescription drug coverage

- Flexible spending account options

- Paid parental leave (4 weeks)

- Supplemental insurance options (accident, critical illness, etc.)

- 24/7 telehealth services

- Employee assistance program

- **Additional Benefits (Fully Covered by OWA):**

- Professional liability insurance

- Workers' compensation

- Unemployment insurance

- On-site fitness facility access

- Staff development opportunities

- Travel insurance for recruitment and competition travel

- **Start Date:** Immediate, with priority consideration for candidates available to begin recruitment for upcoming cohort

### PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As the founding leader of OWA's wrestling program, you will have unique opportunities to:

- Design program philosophy and development methodology from the ground up

- Establish innovative training approaches that can become models for other institutions

- Create purpose-driven wrestling curriculum that could be shared with other programs

- Develop original resources connecting wrestling to purpose discovery

- Build relationships with collegiate programs for student-athlete advancement

- Establish wrestling-specific entrepreneurial pathways for student-athletes

- Create distinctive program culture and identity aligned with OWA's mission

### APPLICATION PROCESS

Submit the following to :

1. Cover letter addressing:

- Your wrestling coaching philosophy and how it aligns with purpose-driven development

- Your approach to building a program that balances competitive excellence with purpose discovery

- Your experience integrating mental/behavioral health into wrestling training

- Your vision for a program that prepares athletes for both wrestling advancement and entrepreneurial success

2. Resume/CV detailing coaching experience and accomplishments

3. Statement on how wrestling can serve as a vehicle for purpose discovery (1-2 pages)

4. Three professional references with contact information

5. Video introduction or coaching demonstration (optional but encouraged)

**Application Deadline:** Rolling review until position is filled

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*Oklahoma Wildcats Academy is pioneering a new model of higher education through athletic excellence, entrepreneurial mindset, and purpose discovery. Through our innovative "ghost year" program, we're helping college freshmen connect to their purpose and prepare for success at their next institution and throughout life.*

*Oklahoma Wildcats Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse coaching staff that reflects our student-athlete population. We strongly encourage applications from underrepresented groups in athletics.*

Our Sports Leadership Incubator differentiates itself through its integration of athletic development, entrepreneurial education, and purpose discovery. While traditional athletic programs focus solely on sport-specific advancement and typical entrepreneurship programs emphasize business skills in isolation, our incubator recognizes the powerful transferable leadership capacities developed through the intentional integration of both domains.

### CORE LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Leadership Identity Development

- Undergo comprehensive DISC assessment to identify your natural leadership strengths and growth areas

- Develop personalized leadership development plan aligned with your specific purpose and goals

- Engage in structured reflection exercises connecting athletic experiences to leadership principles

- Create your authentic leadership philosophy through guided exploration and mentorship

- Document your leadership journey through digital portfolio development

- Receive regular feedback on leadership growth from diverse mentors and peers

- Establish clarity on how your leadership approach aligns with your long-term purpose.

We connect people to their purpose. Every action matters. Our best days can inspire excellence.

Athletic-Entrepreneurial Integration

- Participate in specialized workshops connecting athletic principles to business development

- Develop business concepts leveraging your sport-specific knowledge and network

- Create entrepreneurial projects with practical application in athletic contexts

- Engage in mentorship from successful athlete-entrepreneurs

- Learn to transfer athletic disciplines and mindsets to entrepreneurial challenges

- Identify potential business opportunities related to your sport or athletic interests

- Build foundation for potential LLC development based on your athletic expertise