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Athletic Performance Coach Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

This role is responsible for assessing each athlete's needs, creating individualized training programs, delivering safe and engaging coaching, and using measurable performance data to demonstrate ...

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Athletic Performance Coach information

See Iowa salary details

$4

$18

$29

How much do athletic performance coach jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for athletic performance coach in Iowa is $18.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.82 and $21.68 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an athletic performance coach do?

An Athletic Performance Coach helps athletes improve their physical abilities, such as strength, speed, agility, and endurance, to enhance their performance in sports. They design and implement personalized training programs, monitor progress, and provide feedback to help athletes reach their full potential. These coaches often work with individuals or teams, focusing on injury prevention, recovery, and overall fitness. Their expertise is valuable at all levels, from youth sports to professional athletics.

What are some common challenges athletic performance coaches face when working with athletes of varying skill levels?

Athletic Performance Coaches often work with athletes ranging from beginners to elite professionals, which can present challenges in tailoring training programs to suit each individual's needs. Balancing group sessions while ensuring personalized attention, managing different motivation levels, and addressing varying physical capabilities require strong communication and adaptability. Coaches must continuously assess progress and modify plans to maximize each athlete's performance while preventing injury, fostering a supportive yet challenging environment for all skill levels.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an athletic performance coach, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Athletic Performance Coach, you need expertise in exercise science, biomechanics, and nutrition, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in a related field and certifications such as CSCS or NASM. Familiarity with performance tracking software, wearable technology, and strength and conditioning equipment is common. Strong motivational, communication, and leadership skills help coaches build rapport and inspire athletes to achieve their best. These skills ensure safe, effective training programs and foster athlete development in competitive environments.

What is the difference between Athletic Performance Coach vs Personal Trainer?

AspectAthletic Performance CoachPersonal Trainer
CertificationsCSCS, NSCA, NASM-CSCSACE, NASM, ISSA certifications
Work EnvironmentSports teams, athletic facilities, training centersGyms, private studios, clients' homes
Employer & IndustrySports organizations, colleges, professional teamsFitness centers, individual clients

While both roles focus on improving physical fitness, an Athletic Performance Coach specializes in enhancing athletic skills and performance for athletes, often working with teams or sports organizations. A Personal Trainer typically works with individual clients to improve general fitness and health. The certifications, work environments, and target audiences differ, making each role unique in the fitness industry.

What are popular job titles related to Athletic Performance Coach jobs in Iowa?

For Athletic Performance Coach jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Athletic Performance Coach jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Athletic Performance Coach jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Athletic Performance Coach job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,674 per year, or $18.6 per hour.

Assistant Athletic Performance Coach - Men's Wrestling

The University Of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

464th of 629 rated colleges and universities


Job description

The University of Iowa Department of Athletics seeks applications for an Assistant Athletic Performance Coach - Men's Wrestling. This is a full-time (at-will and FLSA-exempt) position which includes full University benefits. The University of Iowa is an NCAA Division I institution and a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Department of Athletics manages 22 varsity sports programs and related events with a workforce of approximately 250 regular employees and 300 temporary employees. Athletics is a people-centric organization that operates under a "Win. Graduate. Do It Right." philosophy. For more information regarding Athletics, please click here.

Responsibilities: The Assistant Athletic Performance Coach is responsible for providing instructional, programming, supervision, and corrective exercise assistance to the Director of Athletic Performance for the purpose of building a successful, competitive men's wrestling intercollegiate sports program that also retains and graduates student-athletes. This position will be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.

Benefits Highlights: Excellent fringe benefit package including paid vacation and sick leave; health, dental, life, and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. The University of Iowa is a Big Ten, nationally ranked research university with 30,000 students located in Iowa City. A vibrant community boasting excellent public schools, safe, comfortable neighborhoods, affordable housing, a highly educated population, and numerous cultural, recreational, and sporting opportunities and events contribute to the Iowa City area frequently appearing high on the best-places-to-live listings. Go to "Working at Iowa" to learn more.

Required Qualifications:  

  • Bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) in exercise related field;
  • CSCCa Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) or NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS);
  • One year of experience working as a strength and conditioning coach in a collegiate or professional setting;
  • Demonstrated extensive proficiency in: 
    • Designing speed, strength, and conditioning programs in a progressive manner;
    • Assisting the rehabilitative phase of injury recovery;
    • Sports technology for monitoring and performance assessment;
      • Force plates and/or velocity based training
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Demonstrated experience in performance management, including effectively teaching and supervising small and large groups of student-athletes;
  • Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trusting relationships;
  • Working knowledge of and ability to:
    • Utilize basic office support software (word processing, email, presentation software and spreadsheets) 
    • Operate effectively within a highly regulated team environment.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience coaching elite-level athletes at the collegiate level is highly desired;
  • Experience coaching men's wrestling student athletes at the collegiate or professional level is highly desired;
  • Demonstrated experience and working knowledge of 
    • NCAA Division I strength and conditioning processes, issues, considerations;
    • Management and implementation of performance/readiness metrics.
  • Genuine passion for and experience with supporting the holistic development of student-athletes, recognizing the interconnectedness of mental health and overall well-being.

Application Process:  Visit our website at http://jobs.uiowa.edu and search for keywords "Assistant Coach" Only applications submitted at https://jobs.uiowa.edu will be accepted. 

  • Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. 
  • Applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a relevant file to the submission.  Applications without both a cover letter and resume will be considered incomplete and ineligible for consideration. 
  • Successful candidates will be subject to a credential/education verification and criminal background check and be required to self-disclose any conviction history. 
  • Five professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. 
  • As a part of the University of Iowa's review of your application and consistent with its policies and practices, the University may access and/or view information about you that is job-related and publicly available on the internet, including but not limited to information on social media sites. The access, viewing and/or use of such information is governed by the University's Policy on Human Rights, as well as state and federal law.
  • For questions or additional information, please contact athletics tanner-erwin@uiowa.edu

About Iowa: 

  • Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. 
  • Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. 
  • Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. 
  • Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution. 
     
Additional Information
  • Classification Title: Assistant Coach
  • Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Work Modality Options: On Campus
Compensation
  • Pay Level: 9
  • Starting Salary Minimum: 55,000.00
  • Starting Salary Maximum: Commensurate
Contact Information
  • Organization: Athletics
  • Contact Name: Tanner Erwin
  • Contact Email: tanner-erwin@uiowa.edu

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