NEPN/NSBA Code:  GCAAD

ATHLETIC COACHING POSITIONS

It is the intent of this policy to provide for the proper screening and training of coaches, to ensure the safety of student-athletes, and to improve the overall quality of the interscholastic athletic program. 

A person shall be eligible to coach in any interscholastic high school athletic contest, provided the person satisfies all of the following conditions (for purposes of this section, "coach" shall mean all persons who coach an interscholastic high school athletic team in any way, whether for pay or as a volunteer at the varsity, junior varsity, and freshman level): 

A. The person's appointment as coach must be approved by the local educational agency responsible for the member school at which the person coaches.

B. The coach must be at least 20 years of age or be a high school graduate or have high school equivalency at the commencement of the sports season for which the person has been appointed to coach. For purposes of this section, a season is deemed to have commenced on the first day of team practices, including practices scheduled to determine the members of the team.

C. The coach must sign a statement acknowledging that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with and abide by all MPA bylaws, policies, and the Code of Ethics.

D. The coach must have successfully completed a coaching principles course. (Refer to Appendix R, Coaches' Eligibility, on page 40 of the MPA Handbook and Directory).

E. The coach must have successfully completed a sport first aid course. Every coach must take a first aid course every five years.

F. Every coach must have successfully completed a basic CPR/AED program and must maintain/carry a current CPR-AED card.

G. Every coach must have viewed the NFHS video "Concussion in Sports" video.

H. Every coach must have viewed the NFHS Video “Heat Illness Prevention” video.

I. Every coach must have viewed the NFHS Video “Sudden Cardiac Arrest” video.

J. Every coach must have viewed the NFHS Video “Protecting Students from Abuse” video.

Cross Reference: GCAAD-R – Volunteer Coaches 

GCAAD-E – Volunteer Coach Application Form Guidelines

Adopted: June 7, 2000 

Reviewed: August 20, 2012 

Reviewed: September 11, 2017 

Revised:   January 8, 2023