Ncaamarket: Your Complete Guide to Landing College Athletics Jobs

If you’ve ever tried to break into college athletics, you know how hard it can be to find the right opportunities. I’ve been there—scrolling through Indeed, LinkedIn, and random school websites, trying to piece together a list of open positions. It felt scattered and overwhelming.

Then I stumbled across NCAA Market, and it felt like everything clicked into place. Here was a single platform where most NCAA schools actually posted their job openings. Coaching roles, athletic trainers, strength coaches, sports information directors—it was all in one place.

This article is a deep dive into NCAA Market: what it is, how to use it, how much it costs, and how you can get the most out of it. I’ll also share my personal experience using the site, what I learned along the way, and a few tips that might save you time and frustration.

What Is NCAA Market?

NCAA Market is essentially a job board built specifically for the world of college athletics. It’s officially run by the NCAA in partnership with Naylor, Inc., which means the jobs are legitimate, organized, and come from verified schools or athletic organizations.

Here’s what makes it unique:

• Focused Audience – Instead of wading through thousands of unrelated postings, every job here is in the college sports ecosystem.

• Wide Range of Roles – From entry-level graduate assistantships to athletic director positions, there’s a role for every stage of your career.

• Career Development Tools – They don’t just list jobs. There are resume tips, video tutorials, and webinars to help you present yourself better.

When I first started using NCAA Market, I was shocked at how many jobs were available that never showed up on general job boards. This made me realize how much I had been missing.

Why You Should Use NCAA Market

If you’re serious about working in college athletics, NCAA Market should be your starting point. Here’s why:

• It’s Niche and Targeted – Every employer posting here is looking for someone who understands the culture of college sports.

• It’s Widely Trusted – Schools know this is where qualified candidates look. You’re getting in front of the right people.

• Saves You Time – Instead of hunting job by job across 300+ school websites, you have one centralized place.

Personally, I applied for three jobs through NCAA Market in a single week. Two of those applications led to interviews. That’s a much better hit rate than when I was applying on big, general job boards.

How Much Does It Cost?

Good news: job seekers can use NCAA Market for free.

For employers, there is a cost. A standard single job posting is around $325 for 30 days, with discounts for bulk packages and extra options to make your job more visible (like “featured” postings).

This pricing can be steep for very small schools or club teams, but it also means that the jobs posted are usually serious roles—not spammy listings.

How to Use NCAA Market as a Job Seeker

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:

1. Create Your Account

It’s free and takes just a few minutes. Fill in your basic information and upload your resume.

2. Set Up Job Alerts

This is a lifesaver. You can get notified when jobs in your category get posted, so you never miss a good one.

3. Search by Category

NCAA Market allows you to filter by job function, level, location, and type. For example:

• Coaching

• Sports Medicine

• Compliance

• Administration

• Academic Support

When I was searching for strength & conditioning jobs, I filtered by “Full-time” and “Division I,” which narrowed it down to exactly what I wanted.

4. Apply Strategically

Don’t shotgun applications everywhere. Instead:

• Tailor your resume to each posting.

• Include a cover letter, even if it’s optional.

• Follow up politely after a week or two if you don’t hear back.

Career Learning Center: Hidden Gem of NCAA Market

One of the most underrated parts of NCAA Market is its Career Learning Center. It has free webinars, on-demand videos, and even resume-writing workshops.

Some examples:

• “Creating Powerful Resumes” – I used this to tweak my resume layout, and it immediately started getting more responses.

• “Ace the Interview” – Covers common questions, body language, and follow-up etiquette.

• “Networking for Job Search” – Explains how to connect with hiring managers without being pushy.

These resources make the platform more than just a job board—they turn it into a career development hub.

Pros and Cons of NCAA Market

No platform is perfect. Here’s what I’ve found:

Pros

• Direct access to schools and athletic programs.

• High-quality job listings (rarely any spam).

• Free for job seekers.

• Great career development resources.

Cons

• Some jobs get a LOT of applicants—competition can be intense.

• Not every school uses it (some post only on their own HR page).

• You still have to research each school and job—NCAA Market doesn’t vet employers for you.

How NCAA Market Compares to Other Job Boards

I’ve used several other sports job boards, and here’s my honest comparison:

If you’re looking specifically for NCAA jobs, NCAA Market is the most efficient starting point. But I still recommend cross-checking other platforms occasionally—especially if you’re open to pro sports or non-college roles.

Tips to Stand Out

Here are some strategies that worked for me:

• Use Keywords in Your Resume – If the job description says “compliance reporting,” make sure your resume uses that exact phrase if it applies.

• Apply Early – Many schools review applications on a rolling basis. Being among the first 10 applicants can make a difference.

• Leverage Your Network – If you know someone at the school, reach out. A referral can push your application to the top of the pile.

Trust & Safety

One important thing: NCAA Market does not guarantee that every job is 100% verified. It’s your responsibility to do a quick background check on the employer.

Here’s what I do:

• Visit the school’s official HR page to confirm the posting.

• Google the hiring manager or department to see if it’s a real listing.

• Be wary of any job that asks for sensitive info upfront.

I once saw a posting that felt off. I reported it through the site, and they actually took it down. That gave me confidence that someone is monitoring things behind the scenes.

My Personal Takeaway

NCAA Market has been one of the most helpful tools in my job search journey. It gave me access to opportunities I would have completely missed otherwise, and the career learning resources were surprisingly practical.

It’s not perfect—you still have to do the legwork, polish your applications, and network—but if you’re aiming for a career in college sports, it’s one of the best starting points out there.

When I finally landed a position through a job I found on NCAA Market, it felt like a full-circle moment. The late-night job searching, the resume tweaks, the practice interviews—all of it paid off.