Job Description:
Date posted: July 2, 2026
Location: Concord, NC, USA
Sailfish Aquatics — Concord, North Carolina
Sailfish Aquatics is seeking a motivated coach to join our staff as a Full-Time Age Group Coach.
Sailfish Aquatics is a growing USA Swimming program serving more than 300 swimmers across Concord and the greater Charlotte area. Our athletes are divided between competitive and pre‑competitive groups, with opportunities ranging from introductory swimming through age‑group, senior, and national‑level competition.
This position will serve as a lead coach within Sailfish Aquatics’ competitive age-group program, working with swimmers across our 10-and-under and 11–14 training groups.
The coach will have primary responsibility for one or more age-group groups and will oversee seasonal planning, daily training, stroke development, athlete progression and family communication for those swimmers. Specific group assignments will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience and coaching strengths.
The role is designed to provide increasing leadership within the age-group program. A highly qualified candidate may be considered for broader oversight of the full age-group pathway at the time of hire.
Primary Responsibilities
- Serve as the lead coach for assigned competitive age-group training groups.
- Develop and implement seasonal plans and daily workouts that align with the overall direction of Sailfish Aquatics.
- Teach and reinforce strong stroke mechanics, starts, turns, underwater skills and race fundamentals.
- Build age-appropriate training habits, accountability and confidence.
- Create a positive, challenging and structured environment for swimmers.
- Lead dryland training for assigned groups.
- Prepare swimmers for competition and provide race strategy, feedback and post-race evaluation.
- Attend assigned meets, including approximately one to two meet weekends per month.
- Communicate consistently and professionally with swimmers and families.
- Manage attendance, meet entries, swimmer evaluations, goal meetings and group recommendations.
- Assist with seasonal placement decisions and athlete progression throughout the age-group program.
- Collaborate with the Head Coach and other members of the Sailfish coaching staff.
- Assist with clinics, evaluations, team events, recruiting and other team responsibilities as needed.
- Support the overall mission, expectations and culture of Sailfish Aquatics.
Position Structure
This position reports directly to the Head Coach and is focused on the development of swimmers throughout Sailfish Aquatics’ competitive age-group program.
The coach will collaborate with the Head Coach and age-group staff to maintain consistent technical standards, training progressions and placement expectations across the 10-and-under and 11–14 groups.
This position is focused on age-group swimming and does not include a regular senior-group assignment.
Schedule and Location
The primary site of this posting is for our West Cabarrus YMCA branch in Concord, NC. The typical coaching schedule includes weekday afternoon and evening practices, Saturday morning practices and assigned weekend meets. On-deck and administrative hours will vary throughout the season based on meet schedules and team needs.
Administrative responsibilities such as planning, communication, entries and evaluations may be completed remotely during flexible daytime hours.
Morning practices and doubles are not expected, although limited summer schedule adjustments may occasionally be required.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least two years of competitive swim coaching experience preferred.
- Experience within a USA Swimming or YMCA year-round program preferred.
- Experience working with competitive 10-and-under and/or 11–14 swimmers.
- Strong understanding of age-appropriate stroke development and long-term athlete development.
- Ability to develop seasonal plans and write effective daily workouts.
- Strong communication, organization and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating within a broader coaching structure.
- Commitment to continued learning and professional development.
- Working knowledge of TeamUnify, Hy-Tek or similar swimming-management systems preferred.
- Current USA Swimming coach membership and required certifications, or the ability to complete all requirements before beginning employment.
A college degree is not required.
Above all, Sailfish Aquatics is looking for a dependable and positive person who wants to continue improving as a coach and contribute to the long-term development of our swimmers and program.
Compensation and Benefits
Sailfish Aquatics offers a competitive salary based on experience, qualifications and level of responsibility.
The compensation package includes:
- Monthly healthcare stipend
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- Paid holidays and scheduled team breaks
- USA Swimming registration and required certifications
- Professional-development and continuing-education support
- Team apparel
- Team-paid lodging for overnight travel meets
Limited relocation assistance may be available for the right candidate.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Interested candidates should email a resume to:
Jon Matchette
Head Coach
Sailfish Aquatics
[email protected]
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, with initial interviews beginning July 20, 2026.
The position will remain open until filled. The preferred start date is late August 2026.
