Specialist A Titles

This section pertains to the following titles: Head Coach, Associate Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Trainer, Specialist IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA (low to high) (AAUP Article 37).
Tier I NCAA Team Sports include Football and Basketball. Tier II NCAA Team Sports include all other NCAA Team Sports offered at the University
These are non-tenure track titles for coaches and trainers in the Division of Athletics. The individual’s title is determined by his/her experience, salary requirements and marketability.

The terms of appointment for these positions are specified in the AAUP collective bargaining agreement. Individuals may be hired and/or renewed for multiple year contracts. However, the appointment terms of assistant coaches may not be longer than that of their head coach. In cases where a head coach has a five year appointment, the appointment terms of assistant coaches may vary within the limits of that five year appointment.

Article 37 of the AAUP Collective Bargaining Agreement reads in part:

“All bargaining unit members in [Article 37] may be hired or renewed for multiple year contracts. However, in no case may an Associate Head Coach (Tier 1 or Tier 2), an Assistant Head Coach (Tier 1 or Tier 2), or a Specialist (Tier 1, but excluding Trainers) be hired or renewed for a term longer than the head coach in his/her sport” (37.1) “In those instances where a head coach of a Tier I NCAA Team Sport has a five-year appointment, bargaining unit members supporting that sport in the titles covered in this Section may be appointed to varying employment terms which coincide with the employment term of the head coach. However, in no case may an Associate Head Coach, Assistant Head Coach, or Specialist in Tier 1 NCAA Team Sports (excluding Trainers) be hired or renewed for a term longer than the head coach in his/her sport “(37.5.B). “When a head coach of a Tier I NCAA Team Sport is separated for any reason before the end of his/her contract, a bargaining unit member in the titles covered in this Section may be terminated with the following notice:

“i. Employees with less than one year’s service shall receive ninety (90) calendar days’ notice or pay and benefits for which they are eligible under the applicable plans in lieu of notice;

“ii. Employees with at least one year of service shall receive one hundred eighty (180) calendar days’ notice or pay and benefits for which they are eligible under the applicable plans in lieu of notice” (37.5.C)

Review Article 37 of the AAUP contract for additional provisions and details.