Description
Apprentice Coach - Sports Performance (Paid, Mentored)
Location: South Bay Los Angeles (El Segundo area)
Type: Hourly employee (non-exempt)
Schedule: 30–40 hours/week
Term: 12 months
Start: Rolling / next cohort
Why This Role Exists
This is not an internship and not a "sink or swim" coaching job. It's a paid apprenticeship for an early-career coach who wants real coaching responsibility paired with a structured mentorship pathway.
You'll coach groups and individuals inside an established system—and you'll be developed intentionally through progressive responsibilities, coaching feedback, and mentorship from High Performance Director Ken Vick.
Standout Opportunities (Earned Through Performance Standards)
Assist within a Major League Rugby environment (California Legion) as part of your development track.
Opportunity to coach offseason professionals and national team athletes, alongside our senior staff.
Who This Is For
You're a strong fit if you are:
A coach with 1–3 years of coaching exposure (S&C, sports performance, private training, sport coaching, or similar).
A former athlete (preferred) who understands what great coaching feels like.
Holding a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology, exercise science, sports medicine, PE, or a related field (required).
Preferably pursuing or planning a Master's degree and looking for a role that accelerates real-world competence.
Reliable, coachable, and energized by high standards.
What You'll Gain (The Benefits That Matter)
1) A Real Coaching Pathway (Not Just "Hours")
You will build the skills to operate confidently on a coaching floor:
Coaching groups and supporting individuals from early in the apprenticeship.
Progressive ownership based on demonstrated competence (not time served).
Clear standards for teaching, session management, athlete safety, and professionalism.
A portfolio of real coaching and programming work (session plans, progressions, case studies, SOPs).
2) Mentorship with Structure (Without Being Thrown into the Deep End)
You will receive consistent development support such as:
Scheduled mentorship touchpoints with leadership (coaching quality, communication, planning, problem-solving).
On-floor guidance and debriefs with senior staff.
Skill check-ins and evaluations tied to specific competencies (teaching, cueing, progressions, load decisions).
3) Sports Science + Applied Performance Analytics (Not Just "Using Tech")
You'll learn how to interpret and apply data in real coaching environments—turning numbers into better decisions and outcomes. You'll gain exposure to tools such as:
Hawkins force plates
GymAware velocity-based training
Catapult athlete monitoring (when applicable)
Recovery systems and protocols used in performance and return-to-play settings
You'll learn to connect data to real-world actions, including:
Identifying readiness/fatigue patterns and making session adjustments.
Using force/velocity outputs to guide exercise selection and intent.
Communicating insights to athletes in simple, actionable terms.
Tracking progress over time and documenting what interventions worked.
4) Diverse Sports Exposure That Expands Your Coaching "Range"
You'll coach across a wide range of athletes and sport demands—building perspective that most early-career coaches don't get:
Hockey, rugby, swimming, volleyball, tennis, MMA (and more).
Opportunities with offseason professionals in hockey, MMA, grappling, rugby, baseball, soccer.
Exposure to national team athletes in Olympic sports (seasonal/availability dependent).
Note: This variety is intentional. It forces you to become a better teacher, communicator, and problem-solver—not a one-sport specialist too early.
What You'll Do (Real Responsibilities)
Coach assigned group sessions and support individual training sessions inside our system.
Teach and reinforce high standards in sprint mechanics, landing mechanics, and foundational strength patterns (squat/hinge/push/pull/bracing).
Deliver warm-ups, movement prep, speed development, plyometrics/med ball work, and strength training blocks.
Maintain session quality: organization, flow, athlete engagement, safety, and coaching consistency.
Use performance data (with guidance) to inform coaching decisions and athlete communication.
Track athlete progress and communicate key notes to senior coaches (readiness flags, pain issues, attendance trends).
Complete development projects aligned with your interests and the needs of the program (e.g., testing SOP, progression library, case study).
How You'll Grow Here
This apprenticeship is designed to help you level up in the areas that create excellent coaches:
Coaching presence: Confident communication, pacing, and group management.
Teaching skill: Simplifying complex movements and building progressions that stick.
Better eyes: Noticing what matters, intervening effectively, and improving faster rep-to-rep.
Smarter programming: Understanding intent, constraints, progression, and dosage.
Professional communication: Clear, calm, and consistent communication with athletes, parents, and staff.
Evidence-informed practice: Applying sports science and data without losing the human side of coaching.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Some coaching experience (team, private, collegiate, clinic, or internship).
Professionalism: punctual, prepared, dependable.
Comfortable coaching groups and receiving feedback.
Preferred
Former competitive athlete.
Pursuing or planning a Master's degree.
Progress toward credentials (CSCS, SCCC, USAW, etc.).
Experience with youth/HS athletes or field/court sport athletes.
Compensation & Schedule
Hourly employee (non-exempt), 30–40 hours/week.
Pay rate based on experience and local requirements.
12-month term with a defined pathway to an ongoing coaching role for strong performers.
How to Apply
Submit the following to info@thesportscomplex.com:
Resume
Short cover note answering:
Why coaching?
Which athletes do you most want to coach in the next year—and why?
What coaching skill are you currently working to improve?
(Optional) 2–3 minute coaching video clip (group or individual).
Requirements
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in a related field.
Some coaching experience (team, private, collegiate, clinic, or internship).
Professionalism: punctual, prepared, dependable.
Comfortable coaching groups and receiving feedback.
Preferred
Former competitive athlete.
Pursuing or planning a Master's degree.
Progress toward credentials (CSCS, SCCC, USAW, etc.).
Experience with youth/HS athletes or field/court sport athletes.
Compensation & Schedule
Hourly employee (non-exempt), 30–40 hours/week.
Pay rate based on experience and local requirements.
12-month term with a defined pathway to an ongoing coaching role for strong performers.