African-Americans are largely under-represented in the coaching ranks of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I teams. Cunningham, Sagas, and Ashley (2001) proposed, in part, that racial differences in the proportion of Division I head coaches could be explained by a lack of interest in head coaching among or discrimination against African-Americans. This study examined these possibilities. In addition, we examined differences between basketball and football coaches, as basketball is a sport that affords greater opportunities to African-Americans than does football (see Lapchick, 2001). Data collection took part in two phases. In the first phase, qualitative data were collected from 59 assistant basketball and football coaches. These coaches were asked reasons for wanting to become a head coach, potential barriers, and factors that would enable that progression. Data were then independently content analyzed by four persons. Results demonstrated four reasons for wanting to become a head coach: (a) career progress; (b) ego-motivation; (c) achievement associated with becoming a head coach; and (d) the opportunity to teach. Four themes also emerged as factors that would enable them to become a head coach: (a) previous success of the individual and/or team; (b) one’s network; (c) the values one possessed; and (d) personal qualities. Finally, several barriers were indicated, including race, a lack of experience and age, competition for jobs, and an overall lack of opportunity. Additional data were then collected via questionnaire from 403 Division I assistant basketball and football coaches. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated the factor structure of the scales. Results indicated no racial differences in the reasons for wanting to become a head coach, factors that would enable the coach to achieve a head coaching position, or intentions to become a head coach. Further, no race x sport coached interactions were found. However, subsequent analyses did reveal race x team interaction with respect to barriers to becoming a head coach. Specifically, African-American football coaches had the highest scores for race as a barrier to becoming a head coach and opportunity as a barrier to becoming a head coach. Thus, in general, results lend support for the second of Cunningham et al.’s (2001) propositions (i.e., that the low proportion of African-Americans head coaches is due to discrimination). Results also support the notion that African-Americans enjoy greater opportunities in basketball than they do in football. Thus, strategies are needed to provide greater coaching opportunities to African-Americans in the football context. Keyword(s): coaching, college level issues, diversity