Building a Successful University Program: Key and Common Elements of Expert Coaches

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine how expert university coaches of team sports built their successful programs. In particular, key and common elements that enabled these coaches to achieve success were identified. Five expert Canadian female university coaches were interviewed individually. The results of the analysis revealed four elements for developing successful programs. First, coaches possessed a variety of personal attributes that enabled them to display appropriate leadership behaviors depending on the situation they faced. Second, coaches had a personal desire to foster their players' individual growth. Third, coaches possessed thorough organizational skills from which they planned the season and prepared their team for games. Finally, these elements were linked together by the coaches' vision, which involved the athletes buying into the coaches' goals, philosophy, and personality in order to achieve success. These results are discussed in relation to literature on coaching psychology and leadership.

Appreciation is expressed to the anonymous reviewer's and section editor for their assistance with an earlier version of this manuscript. As well, gratitude is expressed to Wade Gilbert, John Salmela, Jean Côté, and Todd Loughead for their constructive comments. Finally, many thanks to the Coaching Association of Canada for their assistance with this project.