An athletic director's criteria for hiring head football coaches

The purpose of this study was to determine the criteria and qualifications National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) athletic directors utilized in their decisions to hire head football coaches. From this study, 13 athletic directors were able to complete a survey entitled "An Athletic Director's Criteria for Hiring Head Football Coaches." The first research question addressed the main components of an NAIA athletic director's criteria when hiring a head football coach. Integrity and communication were stated as the top two most important characteristics of a head football coach at the NAIA level followed by leadership, organization, and knowledge of football. Research question two addressed whether or not a winning record was an important component of an athletic director's evaluation and of the 13 athletic directors, 12 of them felt that winning was not the most important factor. Research question three addressed whether individuals were likely to be hired as a head coach without prior head coaching experience. Two athletic directors felt that two or less years of coaching experience was necessary while a majority felt that three or more years were necessary.School of Physical EducationThesis (M.A.