NAPS Athletics Instructor (Football Defensive Assistant)

LOCATION:

Newport, RI - United States Naval Academy Preparatory School

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on May 21, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY PREPARATORY SCHOOL:

The Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS), located in Newport, RI, is a critical component of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) where we enhance midshipmen candidates' moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for admission to, and success at USNA. 

NAPS is a ten month post-secondary preparatory school, emphasizing preparation in mathematics, chemistry, English Composition, physics, and Information Technology. The students come from high schools across the United States and its territories or they may be prior enlisted members of the Navy and Marine Corps. The NAPS student body (the Battalion) is selected from applicants to USNA, with each candidate being required to complete the NAPS program before being admitted as a student at USNA. 

The Naval Academy has produced noted leaders, and its graduates (many of whom began their journey at NAPS) have excelled in every walk of life. As an historic officer accession program and premier undergraduate university, USNA has a unique place amongst American educational institutions. Our talented civilian faculty and staff are united by one common purpose - to develop the next generation of leaders for our naval service. In order to best execute that purpose, our faculty, instructors, and support staff are expected to model the highest professional standards. 

Those selected for employment at NAPS are tasked with ensuring a select group of candidates are best prepared to enter the Naval Academy. This task is challenging, but also rewarding as employees work within a coordinated program alongside other faculty and staff dedicated to inspiring excellence, while also receiving the benefits of  federal employment and enjoying an exceptional quality-of-life. 

                   Additional information about the Naval Academy Preparatory School can be found at:  

                             Naval Academy Preparatory School https://www.usna.edu/NAPS/index.php

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Naval Academy Preparatory School invites applications for a NAPS Athletics Instructor (Football Defensive Assistant) position, starting as early as Summer 2026. This position is located at the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI.  As part of the physical development program, NAPS offers a varsity athletic program that competes against other preparatory schools, junior colleges and college junior varsity teams in a variety of sports. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

General:

This position reports to the NAPS Athletic Director, Head Football Coach and serves as special advisors in the area of athletic development. The Assistant Coaches will be principal advisors to the Head Football Coach. The focus of the employee’s efforts will principally be as a football coach of the NAPS Football program, and will provide daily supervision on practice and game preparation. Additional duties may include coordinating transportation requests, conducting equipment inventory, and coordinating NCAA Clearinghouse efforts to ensure all recruits meet NCAA requirements. The coaches will be responsible for planning, organizing, and training of new coaches, development of athletes, conducting team competitions and practices, position coaching and assistance to NAPS Athletic Director (AD) in athletic administration matters.

Specific:

• Responsible for meeting established goals and effectively managing resources of assigned programs.
• Oversees academic and physical progress of all recruited athletes throughout the academic year.
• Positions will require work after hours and on weekends.
• Responsible for supporting the Defensive Coordinator and implementing practice plan
• Responsible for assisting Head Football Coach in related travel logistics,field set up, conduct meetings and game day management.
• Responsible for equipment and inventory control for NAPS Athletic Department (maintaining and new purchase).
• Will perform duties as NCAA Clearinghouse Coordinator for all NAPS Athletes, working with NAPS AD and Assistant AD to ensure all athletes meet NCAA guidelines.
• Responsible for maintaining close liaison with USNA Football, and other assigned coaches, to ensure all are informed of each team member’s status in academic, physical and professional growth.
• Must have the ability to drive assigned government vehicles.
• Performing other related duties as assigned by NAPS AD

This is an on-site, 10-month salaried, gift funded, federal excepted service position with full benefits.  The initial appointment length for this position is approximately 1-year with the anticipation of renewal based on the availability of gift funds and performance in the position. As an employee under a 10-month compensation model, you will be required to take 343 hours of Leave-Without-Pay (LWOP) throughout the year, typically within the May to July timeframe.  The ability to fill this position is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Salary Details:  

• Pay Band: AD-01 - Classification 9
• Approximate Starting Salary Range: $65,000 – $70,000 annually 
  • Based on 10-month compensation model
• Final salary will be determined based on:
  • Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
  • Availability of funds from a gift fund

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree 
  • Required at time of application
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience as a college / high school coach in football.

Preferred Qualifications (We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience or demonstrated interest in some or all of the following areas):

• Coaching or administration in the sport of football.
• College football coaching experience.
• Physical fitness training / development background.
• Experience working with strength and conditioning.
• Experience using Hudl / Microsoft office 
• Ability to serve as a role model for all Midshipmen Candidates.

FINAL SELECTION FOR POSITION WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS: 

• Executive level interview 
• On campus interviews
• Reference Checks

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Please note these positions are in-person and physically located in Newport, Rhode Island.

• Interested candidates should send an application package to the hiring manager and NAPS Assistant Football Coach (Defensive Assistant) 2026 Search Committee, at naps-defensive-assistant-2026-group@usna.edu.

• Application Packages need to contain:
  • Cover letter 
    • Please clearly indicate your status as a U.S. citizen in the cover letter, as this is required for the position
  • 2 - page resume (we can only accept resumes up to two pages in length).
    • Minimum qualifications must be demonstrated in the resume.
  • Contact information for three professional references. 
  • Supplemental materials
    • Any additional information candidate would like to submit

• Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found here. Please note you will need to include the announcement number listed at the bottom of this announcement.

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on Thursday, May 21, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Two-year trial period will typically be required. 
• All Civilian Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination.  More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here http://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php. 
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer