Practitioner Views of College Head Coaches: A Stakeholder Management Perspective

Abstract

This study employed stakeholder theory as an interpretive framework to explore how practitioners in academic support centers for athletes perceive their own obligations and the role and influence of head coaches. Findings revealed that while practitioners believe that head coaches generally care about the academic goals of their athletes, they also believe head coaches need to demonstrate stronger academic leadership and more accountability for the academic outcomes of the athletes they recruit. Practitioners also reported that while they strive to prepare athletes for life after sport, athletics and academics are not effectively co-existing and the current structure of college athletics needs reform. Implications for student affairs professionals are discussed.

Keywords:

• practitioner
• leadership
• coach
• athletics
• stakeholder
• reform

Notes

1 “Practitioner” refers to academic advisors, counselors, staff, tutors, and administrators.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Eddie Comeaux

Dr. Eddie Comeaux is an associate professor of higher education in the Graduate School of Education at the University of California, Riverside. Dr. Comeaux's research interests include college student engagement, intercollegiate athletics, as well as diversity and equity competence in student affairs.

Correspondence to: Eddie Comeaux, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Riverside, USA, Email: [email protected]