Scheduled for Free Communication: Coaching Concerns, Challenges, and Responsibilities in Sport, Friday, April 11, 2008, 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM, Convention Center: 202C


Philosophies of Successful Division 1 Baseball Coaches

Mike Karpel and Todd Pennington, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to conduct a systematic inquiry into the overall philosophies and coaching processes of successful Division I head collegiate baseball coaches. In exploring this specific sample of 12 coaches' (n=12) recipes for success, it is imperative that this inquiry thoroughly investigated and attempted to answer not only ‘what' effective coaches do on a daily basis, but more importantly ‘how' and ‘why' they do what they do. To accomplish this goal the researcher used a 23 (n=23) question semi-structured interview guide in attempting to discover this purposive sample of successful Division I head collegiate baseball coaches' overall formula for success. After each interview was conducted, recorded, transcribed, and thoroughly reviewed, an inductive content analysis was performed. As a result of this analysis the researcher discovered five overarching categories that consisted of a “Strong Philosophical Foundation”, “Leadership”, “Assessment/Evaluation/Expectations”, “Program Organization”, and “The Collegiate Baseball Player” that emerged into a model of successful collegiate baseball coaching. These categories and their underlying themes will serve as the ingredients for this recipe of total coaching success. The reader will discover that many of the overarching categories that created this successful coaching model are interrelated and are not considered mutually exclusive of one another, as they each play a vital role in describing the ‘what', ‘how', and ‘why' leading to effective coaching practices. While investigating the underlying philosophies, processes, characteristics, and dispositions of successful coaches, it is the researcher's contention that this specific sample of elite Division I head collegiate baseball coaches will serve as an 'exemplary model' for effective coaching practices. Furthermore, as their aggregate perceptions, ideas, and views are revealed, it is the researcher's intent that the findings for this study assists all coaches and serves as a ‘guide' for each one of us as we partake on the path and journey that leads to self-improvement and moves us towards the highest pinnacles of coaching success.


Keyword(s): coaching, college level issues, sport topics

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