The decline in the proportion of females from the ranks of college coaching has been well researched and documented. However, a scarcity of research from assistant coaches of women’s teams has been conducted that may expose reasons for the decline. The importance in studying assistant coaches lies in the fact that they constitute a sizeable pool of candidates for head coaching positions. Another important reason for devoting attention to assistant coaches stems from research indicating that female assistant coaches are less active in applying for head coaching positions than males and have less desire to do so in the future (Cunningham & Sagas, 2003; Sagas, Cunningham, & Ashley, 2000). The aim of the present study was to assess the various motivators and diversions of male assistant coaches toward head coaching intentions using the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Indeed, a similar analysis utilizing female assistant coaches was recently completed (Sagas, Cunnigham, Pastore, & Waltemyer, 2003) and provided great insight into the factors that shape the motivation to head coach for women. This study extends this research to male assistant coaches and allows for comparisons based on gender. A researcher-developed questionnaire was sent to assistant coaches from the four largest women’s team sports: softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball (N = 2080; 520 per sport). Data from a total of 236 male assistant coaches were compiled. After controlling for age, previous applications, and occupational tenure, the three direct measure variables explained 57.2% of the variance in intentions. Each of the three main theory variables (attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) held significant positive associations with intentions. A number of the belief-based measures collected were also moderately and significantly related to head coaching intentions (r’s above .40). All of the normative belief variables (e.g., former coaches) were positively correlated to head coaching intentions. Two of the attitude variables were also positively correlated with intentions (i.e., philosophy, control). None of the behavioral control belief based variables were related to intentions. This analysis reveals differences in the motivation patterns of women and men assistant coaches. Most notable, it appears that men are less influenced by the self-efficacy and control variables, and most motivated by extrinsic motivators such as having control and power over team decision making. This profile is somewhat different from the one described by Sagas et al. (2003) of female assistant coaches, which depicted female assistant coaches as more intrinsically motivated (e.g., role model to players, developing skills). Keyword(s): athletics/sports, coaching, gender issues