Assistant Coach

PORTLAND THORNS

Founded in 2012, Portland Thorns FC have set the standard for fan support and on-field success in women’s soccer since its inaugural 2013 season. One of the world’s most supported women’s soccer clubs, Portland has led the league in attendance for eight seasons and set a new club playoff attendance record last year with 25,218 fans supporting Thorns FC in the 2023 semifinal match at Providence Park. Thorns FC have won the NWSL Championship a league-record three times (2013, 2017, 2022) and finished as runners-up in 2018. The club has made the postseason a league-high nine times and has won the NWSL Shield in 2016 and 2021.

WHO ARE THE PORTLAND THORNS?

We are the Portland Thorns.

We will be the #1 women’s football franchise in the world.

We fight to protect the integrity of our team and to inspire our city.

We are stewards of innovation…on and off the pitch.

We have a storied history of winning with a championship pedigree.

We believe in inclusiveness and demonstrating an authentic commitment to the community.

We are diverse, multi-cultural and we take action with purpose and intent.

We will relentlessly be a thorn in our opponent’s side and forever be the crown jewels of Portland.

We are the Portland Thorns.

The Role

It will be the responsibility of the Assistant Coach to work alongside the Head Coach to enhance the Club’s already strong footballing foundations. The successful candidate will live and enforce team and league rules applicable to the team’s players and/or coaching staff.

Key Responsibilities

WHAT YOU’LL BE UP TO:

• Collaborate with Head Coach to plan and execute training sessions.
• Design and deliver training activities that are aligned with Thorns Game Model playing philosophy and principles of play, including position specific training activities.
• Ongoing assessment and feedback of player performances aligned with team and positional KPI’s.
• Work with the Head Coach and High-Performance Team to ensure training sessions are aligned to tactical and physical periodization plans and principles.
• Assist in the creation and management of Individual Performance Plans (IPP’s) for each player.
• Lead opposition scouting, producing detailed scouting packages (video & data) for upcoming opponent.
• Lead and deliver scouting meetings to technical staff and delivery of team opposition preview meeting.
• Work with the Head Coach to develop game strategies and define what needs to be delivered to the players on a weekly basis.
• Collaborate with the Head Coach & Head of Recruitment in the ongoing scouting process to identify players for the team from within the NWSL & professional leagues around the world.
• Assist with process to identify and recruit young emerging players for the team, including but not limited to the NCAA
• Lead attacking strategies with team on and off the field as and when assigned by Head Coach.
• Lead defending strategies, specifically attacking and middle third, when appropriate with team as and when assigned by Head Coach.
• Lead attacking and defending strategies with the attacking unit as and when assigned by Head Coach.
• Develop and lead unit meetings for attacking unit with appropriate training and game clips and opposition analysis.
• Implement attacking and defending game tactics (specifically attacking and middle third) and strategies in line with Head Coach game plan across weekly training sessions and management within and across games.
• Develop and create individual game reviews for individuals across varying positional groups.
• Prepare and deliver workshops on various topics as assigned by Head Coach to assist in team dynamics.
• Prepare and deliver tendencies of opponent units and opponent individual players as requested.
• Other duties and services as reasonably assigned by the club that are consistent with employment as an Assistant Coach in the NWSL.
• Dependent on Experience may take lead of Player IPP’s and work with non-travelling players for away games and focus on improvement of squad players.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Work closely, constructively, and collaboratively with the team’s coaching, medical, and support staff.
• Live the team values and set an example for players to follow.
• Create and enforce a safe, challenging and fun working environment.
• Attend and actively engage in club meetings as established and requested.
• Resolve conflicts quickly and appropriately. Do not leave the coaching environment with issues unresolved and conflicts left hanging.
• Be the eyes and ears of the Head Coach and alert them to potential issues before they develop.
  
  

Player Relations

• Display an interest and knowledge of players outside interests, family/education etc.
• Inspire and motivate players to maximize player and team performances.
• Listen actively to players and communicate in a professional, comprehensible, and concise way.
• Actively foster and support player mental well-being, physical health, diversity, and inclusion
  
  

Head Coach Engagement

• Do not be intimidated to conflict with the Head Coach (in the appropriate forum) if the issue you believe can help grow the program and improve performance.
• Discuss, argue, relate, disagree on anything and everything with the Head Coach but develop a relationship where you can challenge each other to find the common ground, new existing ideas and move forward.
• Publicly share the same philosophy as the Head Coach and always support the Head Coach regardless of the pressure or media scrutiny of the situation.
  
  

Philosophy

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A THORN:

• Display commitment to the process for on-going player and professional development.
• Display conviction and strong self-belief in the coaching staff system and style of play.
• Motivation to be loyal and part of the long-term vision and success of the Club.
• Believe in the current roster and embrace a collective vision on how to continually improve.
• Be humble, self-reflective, and committed to ongoing data driven evaluation.
• Strive to learn more about coaching, the sport, and the role – recognizing that there will always be more to learn.
  
  

Standards Of Performance

• Exhibit strong character attributes and values that best represent the Club brand.
• Possess an open mind to all people and want to connect and build relationships at the club, NWSL, and international levels.
• Understand the importance of building and maintaining working relationships with the media, community, and organizational personnel.
• Support and understand the Club’s business objectives in alignment with the team and Club’s core values across all platforms
  
  

Traits

• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Display effective strategic decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to remain calm and handle high pressure situations.
• High levels of competency in using video analysis software such as but not limited to Angles, Hudl, Wyscout, Statsbomb.
• Possess a strong understanding of NWSL rules and protocols.
• Show and lead with a progressive mentality (curiosity, persistence, optimism, open-mindedness, resourcefulness, etc.).
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• Dynamic, collaborative and fun work environment
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact and contribute to the growth of women's soccer
  
  

Ready to Be a Thorn in the Best Possible Way? Apply Now!

If you’re ready to shape the future of the Portland Thorns, send us your application. Let’s make history together!

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.