Coaching education and coaching certification are important topics in high school athletics due to pressures in terms of professional accountability, interests of parents, student-athlete's expectations, lack of sufficient coaching candidates to fill vacant positions, and use of volunteers, etc. The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics as well as the professional preparation of current Georgia high school coaches.
Method
All Georgia high school coaches representing each of five GHSA classifications, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and A, participated in the study conducted in spring, 2009. A 76 item survey (surveymonkey.com) was sent, via email, to all high school coaches in the state of Georgia who were affiliated with the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association. A follow-up email was sent approximately 2 weeks later. The survey was reviewed for content and face validity. There were 801 respondents representing all school sizes, regions, and sports (excluding rifle) in the state of Georgia.
Analysis/Results
The survey revealed important data concerning coaches' education, experiences, and qualifications, teaching areas. Comparisons were made respecting gender, ethnicity, and school classification, etc.
Seventy percent of the Georgia High School coaches listed themselves as males and 19.8 per cent listed themselves as females; approximately 71% were Caucasian and 10.5 % were African American. Fifty one per cent of the coaches have 11 years or more of coaching experience. However, less than 30 percent of the coaches have a background in health and physical education. Approximately 33 % have certifications in first aid and CPR; and approximately 55 % have some type of coaching certification. As far as additional training, less than 5 % received additional training, which means that over 95 % have had no additional training to fulfill coaching responsibilities. Less than 3% of Georgia coaches had taken an academic course.
Conclusions
Based on the responses to the survey, the typical high school coach in Georgia is a 42 year-old Caucasian male, who holds a Master's degree, a major in Health and Physical Education, and has coached twenty years or more. Considering the high standards and expectations of coaches, some of the other findings of the study suggest concern in certain areas including the number of coaches who had backgrounds in health and physical education, the number with certifications in first aid and CPR, coaching certification, and additional training to fulfill coaching responsibilities.
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