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We are hiring one coach for Public Forum debate classes and second for Lincoln Douglas classes. This year-round opportunity offers a competitive pay rate based on experience, a commuting allowance ...

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We are hiring one coach for Public Forum debate classes and second for Lincoln Douglas classes. This year-round opportunity offers a competitive pay rate based on experience, a commuting allowance ...

Urgent

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How much do debate coach jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for debate coach in the United States is $19.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a debate coach do?

A Debate Coach mentors students in argumentation, public speaking, and critical thinking to prepare them for competitive debate events. They help research topics, construct persuasive cases, and develop effective rebuttal strategies. Additionally, they organize practice sessions, provide feedback on performance, and guide students in refining their delivery and logical reasoning. Debate Coaches often accompany teams to competitions, ensuring they are well-prepared and confident. Their role is pivotal in fostering analytical skills and teamwork among debaters.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the debate coach position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Debate Coach, you need strong skills in argumentation, critical thinking, and research, typically supported by a background in communication, education, or a related field. Familiarity with debate formats, online research databases, and educational management software is often required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, mentorship abilities, and effective communication set outstanding coaches apart. These capabilities are crucial for guiding students’ skill development, managing competitions, and fostering a collaborative and motivating team environment.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a debate coach?

A Debate Coach’s daily responsibilities often include developing lesson plans, coaching students on argument structure and delivery, reviewing research materials, and organizing practice debates. They also provide individualized feedback, prepare teams for tournaments, and sometimes coordinate travel and logistics for competitions. Collaboration with teachers, school administrators, and parents is common to support student learning and growth. The role combines educational planning, mentoring, and event management in a dynamic, student-centered environment.

More about Debate Coach jobs
What cities are hiring for Debate Coach jobs? Cities with the most Debate Coach job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Debate Coach jobs? The most popular types of Debate Coach jobs are:
What states have the most Debate Coach jobs? States with the most job openings for Debate Coach jobs include:
Infographic showing various Debate Coach job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 42% Full Time, 57% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,110 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Assistant Speech and Debate Coach

McKendree University

Lebanon, IL • On-site

Part-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Salary: $3,600.00 Annually
Location : Lebanon, IL
Job Type: Part-Time Staff
Job Number: 202600017
Department: Student Affairs
Division: Speech and Debate
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
FLSA: Exempt
McKendree University, located in Lebanon, IL and home of the Bearcats, invites qualified applicants to join our team. McKendree University offers a competitive compensation and benefits package and the opportunity to influence the future leaders of tomorrow.
The mission of McKendree University is to provide a high-quality educational experience to outstanding students. We guide our students in the pursuit of academic excellence, which will prepare them for leadership roles in our society. To achieve this end we encourage broader vision, enriched purpose, engagement with community, commitment to responsible citizenship, openness to new ideas and dedication to lifelong learning. In keeping with our history and traditions, we provide our students with a rigorous, broadly based liberal arts curriculum joined with specialization in a specific discipline.
Position Summary and Key Responsibilities
The Assistant Speech and Debate Coach supports the McKendree University Speech and Debate program through coaching, student preparation, recruitment support, competition travel, and assistance with program activities. The position works under the direction of the Director of Speech and Debate and in collaboration with the Head Coach of Debate to support student development, competitive preparation, and the University's recruitment, retention, and student engagement goals. This position is a part-time, 9-month position employed during the academic year (September through May).
Key Responsibiilties:
Debate Coaching and Student Support
  • Assist with student coaching and preparation, including practices, research review, performance evaluation, ballot review, competition preparation, and student support.
  • Provide individual or group coaching in speech and/or debate based on program needs and assigned areas of expertise.
  • Support a team culture that reflects professionalism, student learning, responsible citizenship, academic engagement, and appropriate standards of conduct.
  • Assist the Director of Speech and Debate and Head Coach of Debate with student preparation, team activities, and program operations as assigned.

Recruiting and Program Visibility
  • Assist with recruitment of prospective students who have experience or interest in speech and/or debate.
  • Attend high school competitions, campus activities, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and related programs as assigned to support recruitment and program visibility.
  • Communicate with prospective students, families, and high school coaches as assigned by the Director of Speech and Debate.
  • Support campus visits, recruitment events, follow-up communication, and other recruitment activities in coordination with the Director of Speech and Debate.

Competition Travel and Program Support
  • Attend and judge intercollegiate speech and debate competitions as assigned.
  • Assist with competition travel logistics, including registration, lodging, transportation, meals, travel documentation, and related details as directed.
  • Submit appropriate receipts, forms, and expense documentation in accordance with University procedures.
  • Assist with University-hosted competitions, workshops, Southern Illinois Debate League events, and other speech and debate activities as assigned.

Student Support, Policy Compliance, and Professional Expectations
  • Ensure students represent McKendree University appropriately during practices, competitions, travel, hosted events, and related program activities.
  • Follow University policies, travel expectations, budget procedures, and student conduct expectations.
  • Maintain professional and technical competency through engagement with speech and debate practices, trends, and professional development opportunities as appropriate.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
  • 2 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, as a competitor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Ability to coach, mentor, and support undergraduate students.
  • Familiarity with intercollegiate speech and/or debate competition.
  • Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and in large groups.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with students, coaches, volunteers, high school partners, Admission, Student Affairs, and other University offices.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and uphold appropriate boundaries with students.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office as well as file sharing, communication, and conferencing software.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master's Degree in Communication or related field.
  • 5 years of experience in competitive speech and/or debate, including experience as a competitor and/or as a coach.
  • Experience with speech and/or debate coaching, competition operations, recruitment, student programming, or high school speech and debate outreach.

Work Conditions
  • Part-time position with irregular business hours to coincide with student availability, coaching sessions, recruitment activities, hosted events, and competition travel.
  • Evening and weekend work required.
  • Competition travel, including coaching and judging, for approximately 10-12 weekends each year.

Required Application Materials
Cover Letter
Resume/CV
Equal Opportunity Employer
McKendree University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, and other statuses protected by law. This extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, on-the-job treatment, promotion, layoff, and termination.
Part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Part-time employees who work an average of 20 hours per week may be eligible for our deferred compensation plan.
Part-time faculty and staff also enjoy:
- Discounted tuition after 1 year of employment! Spouses and dependents under the age of 26 are also eligible for discounted undergraduate level courses.
- Complimentary or discounted tickets to our premier performing arts venue, presenting world class dance, drama, classical music and jazz.
- Complimentary tickets for Athletic events.
- Discounts at the McKendree University Bookstore.