Coach Academy

Sharpen Your Skills

It’s no longer enough to know how to teach technique, train athletes, and recruit prospects. Modern college swimming & diving coaches must possess a much broader skill set. The CSCAA Coach Academy is a dedicated program designed to teach a select skill set required of professionals off the pool deck. During this certification program you will master both the art & science of being a college coach!

Set Yourself Up & Set Yourself Apart

Elevate your coaching career with the CSCAA Coach Academy, a premier certification program designed to prepare you for the world of coaching in the industry of collegiate athletics. This credentialed program delves into diverse aspects of coaching beyond the pool, providing you with a comprehensive foundation for success in collegiate coaching.

Through intimate small-group sessions, led by coaches and industry leaders, the CSCAA Coach Academy offers invaluable education and networking opportunities. You'll gain insights and skills that will not only enhance your coaching abilities but also prepare you for the future challenges and opportunities in the field.

Moreover, our program opens doors to potential career advancements. Athletic directors frequently turn to the CSCAA for recommendations on emerging coaching talents, while head coaches seek assistant coach candidates from our pool of certified professionals. By participating in the Coach Academy, you'll not only acquire essential knowledge but also have the chance to interact directly with CSCAA staff and seasoned coaches who could influence your career trajectory.

Don't just be a coach—be a certified leader in the field. Join the CSCAA Coach Academy and take your coaching career to new heights!

Coach Academy positions you to …

  • Engage in meaningful dialogue with peer coaches of all experience levels;

  • Build trust and alignment with administrators in the athletics & admissions offices;

  • Protect your program through fundraising & Title IX knowledge;

  • Use data and professional support to negotiate your next contract;

  • Learn strategies to recruit with more purpose and direction;

  • Galvanize the families, friends, fans and alumni of your program;

  • Understand the process of proposing amendments to NCAA legislation;

  • Explore your leadership style and leverge your strengths lead a staff and team.

  • CSCAA Coach Academy - $199

    • Available to Annual Meetings attendees only.



Sign up now as part of your 2025 Annual Meetings Registration!

Scholarship Opportunities

The CSCAA, with support from The Knight Commission on College Athletics and Swim Across America, offers scholarship opportunities for the Annual Meetings, including the Coach Academy. To learn more and apply, please use the links below:

2024 Coach Academy

Curriculum:

  • Leadership and DISC Assessment - Every participant will undergo a DISC assessment and engage in a comprehensive leadership workshop. This workshop utilizes the personalized insights gleaned from your assessment results to enhance your ability to comprehend and adapt to various behavioral styles, foster cohesive teamwork among staff members, and cultivate stronger leadership and managerial skills for enhanced effectiveness.

  • Recruiting - In this focused session, participants will delve into the essential tools for effective recruiting and learn strategies for constructing a recruiting plan that harmonizes with the missions and requirements of their respective schools.

  • Fundraising - According to most athletic directors, fundraising is identified as the top priority area that coaches need to embrace, outside their traditional coaching duties. It is no longer enough to just coach. This session aims to provide valuable insights on how to become an effective fundraiser for your team, enabling you to bolster support for your program and contribute to your athletic department through successful fundraising initiatives. Additionally, participants will gain access to the CoachRaise Summer Fundraising Cohort program.

  • Learning from History - Connect intimately with newly appointed head coaches as they reflect on their journey transitioning into the role of head coach. Gain valuable insights into the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned during this transition period. Engage with them in a meaningful Q&A session, delving into their experiences and uncovering valuable advice they wish they had known before assuming the head coach position

  • Getting Involved - Learn from accomplished coaches who are actively involved on their campuses, within the NCAA, and at the CSCAA. Understand why it is valuable to get off the pool deck to build your skills as a leader and what opportunities are available to you. Discover the significance of getting involved and gain valuable insights on how to do so effectively!

  • Negoiating a Wet Contract - Engage with industry-leading brand representatives to acquire insights on securing team contracts and effectively integrating them with your institution's partnerships.

  • Working with Administrations -
    Interact with present and past Athletic Directors to understand their standards for recruiting new coaches and fostering effective collaboration with head coaches upon arrival at a university. Gain insights into the workings of administrative offices on campus and discover how you can contribute as a valuable asset to your athletic department, going beyond mere win-loss records.

Instructors:


Where are they now? 2024 Graduates:

  • Brian Keane

Where are they now? 2023 Graduates:

The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking sponsorship by the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. CSCAA and the Knight Commission share the priority of advancing education and professional development opportunities for intercollegiate swimming and diving coaches.

The Knight Commission will sponsor scholarships for women and racial minorities to engage in a program designed to empower coaches through immersive educational experiences. Six deserving individuals will be awarded scholarships that cover travel, transportation, and registrations for key events within the intercollegiate swimming and diving coaching community. Upon completion, each participant will be awarded a certificate for completing this foundational coach education program.