A study of the educational background, the undergraduate professional preparation in coaching-related courses, and the attitudes toward coaching certification of Tennessee high school coaches.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the educational background, the undergraduate professional preparation in coaching-related courses, and the attitudes of coaches toward coaching certification. Subjects were randomly selected high school varsity head coaches who coach Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association sanctioned sports. Two hundred and seventeen coaches were surveyed through the use of a questionnaire. A panel of experts provided critical analysis of the instrument. To further objectify the instrument, a pilot study was conducted by utilizing 110 Tennessee high school coaches. As a result, the instrument was revised and finalized for use.The analyses of data was divided into four sections: (1) demographics, (2) educational background, (3) undergraduate professional preparation in coaching-related courses, and (4) attitudes toward coaching certification. Frequencies and percentages were used to report the data.The findings of the investigation revealed that 50.2% of the responding high school varsity head coaches in Tennessee had earned undergraduate physical education degrees. The college courses that they deemed essential for coaching certification programs primarily pertained to the safety and well-being of the athletes. In terms of a certification program in Tennessee, 48.7% of the respondents concurred that such a program should be implemented.