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Athlete Development Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

About The Farm & Forge Club Farm & Forge is redefining athletic development by bringing together world-class coaching, education, performance training, and community on one integrated campus. Opening ...

... Development Instills in athletes a deep understanding of the fundamentals of the sport Inspires a spirit of competitiveness, toughness, humility, and accountability Leads a program that is ...

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about strength & conditioning, athlete development, and performance coaching . What You'll Do * Lead group training sessions for youth, adults, and ...

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Athlete Development information

What is athlete development?

Athlete development refers to the process of nurturing and enhancing the skills, abilities, and overall well-being of athletes throughout different stages of their careers. This involves physical training, mental conditioning, skill acquisition, and personal growth, often guided by coaches, trainers, and support staff. The goal is to help athletes reach their full potential while maintaining long-term health and success in their chosen sport.

How does an athlete development professional typically collaborate with coaches and support staff to enhance athlete performance?

Athlete Development professionals work closely with coaches, sports psychologists, nutritionists, and medical teams to create comprehensive plans tailored to each athlete's needs. They coordinate regular check-ins, assessments, and feedback sessions to monitor progress and address challenges. Collaboration ensures that all aspects of an athlete's physical, mental, and emotional development are supported, leading to well-rounded performance improvements. This multidisciplinary teamwork is essential for fostering a positive environment and helping athletes reach their full potential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in athlete development, and why are they important?

To thrive in Athlete Development, you need a strong background in sports science, coaching, and performance analysis, often supported by relevant degrees and certifications such as CSCS or NASM. Familiarity with athlete management systems, video analysis tools, and training technology is typically required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and motivational skills help build trust and foster growth in athletes. These abilities ensure the effective development of athletic talent and holistic support for athletes’ performance and well-being.

What is the difference between Athlete Development vs Sports Coach?

AspectAthlete DevelopmentSports Coach
CredentialsCertifications in sports science, strength & conditioning, or athletic trainingCoaching certifications, such as NSCAA, USCC, or sport-specific licenses
Work EnvironmentTraining facilities, gyms, sports academies, or schoolsSports fields, gyms, or indoor arenas
Employer & IndustrySports academies, universities, youth programsSchool teams, professional teams, community sports programs
Search & Comparison IntentFocus on athlete performance enhancement and training programsFocus on team strategy, game tactics, and direct coaching

While both roles aim to improve athletic performance, Athlete Development focuses on training programs, physical conditioning, and long-term athlete growth. Sports Coaches primarily direct team strategies, game tactics, and on-field instruction. The two roles often collaborate but serve different aspects of athletic success.

What is an athlete development specialist?

An athlete development specialist is a professional who designs training programs to improve athletes' physical performance, focusing on areas such as strength, speed, and agility. They often work with coaches and use tools like performance assessments and sport-specific drills to optimize athlete potential and reduce injury risk.

What are popular job titles related to Athlete Development jobs in Tennessee?

For Athlete Development jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Athlete Development jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Athlete Development jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Athlete Development jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Athlete Development job openings:

Infographic showing various Athlete Development job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 50% Full Time, and 47% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Academy- Lead Athletic Development Coach

Nashville, TN • On-site

Nashville Soccer Club
Spectator Sports • 11 - 50 employees

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

NO PHONE CALLS OR EMAILS, PLEASE. Thanks for your interest! Due to the volume of applications, we're unable to respond to individual status inquiries. If selected to move forward, you'll hear from our HR team at Nashville Soccer Club.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Athletic Development Coach will lead the Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD) program for the Nashville SC Academy in alignment with the High Performance philosophy. This role works closely with High Performance staff across NSC and HCFC to design and implement team and individual programs, both in the gym and on the field, to optimize youth athlete development.
The ideal candidate has coaching or strength & conditioning experience, formal education in exercise physiology or a related field, and expertise in load management for youth soccer.
This position reports to the Director of High Performance and the Head of Athletic Development for the First Team, and collaborates with the Academy Director, Athletic Trainers, and performance staff to support a collaborative, high-performance environment.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of elite youth soccer players!
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Lead and oversee on-field warm-ups, cool-downs, strength training, and prehabilitation sessions, as well as individualized training for targeted or rehabilitating players in collaboration with medical staff.
  • Design and implement individual and team off-season training programs.
  • Foster strong relationships with players and staff to effectively deliver performance programs.
  • Develop educational materials to promote best practices in athletic development and sport performance, aligning with the High Performance department's initiatives.
  • Organize and maintain field and gym equipment.
  • Travel with the team to games and events as needed.
  • Stay current with the latest research and best practices for future program implementation.
  • Contribute to and enhance LTAD programming, including data collection, testing, analytics, and reporting to optimize youth player performance.
  • Manage player performance data, including distributing devices, processing and inputting data, wellness monitoring, testing administration, RPE collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Utilize performance monitoring tools and technologies to track player performance and support injury prevention strategies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Degree from a 4-year accredited University in related field of study such as Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Sport Science, Biomechanics, Strength & Conditioning, and/or similar
  • NSCA-CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist)
  • CPR Certification

PREFERRED
  • Graduate (Master's) Degree from an accredited University in related field of study
  • 2-3 years experience working with youth soccer within the United States
  • NSCA-CPSS (Certified Performance and Sport Scientist)
  • Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) Level 1
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.