The decline in the proportion of females from the ranks of college coaching has been well documented and researched in the literature. However, a dearth of studies has identified career and work-related factors from assistant coaches of women’s teams that may elucidate reasons for this decline. The importance in studying the women’s team assistant coach lies in the fact that females comprise many of these positions (56.4%), and thus constitute a large pool of candidates for head coaching positions - a group in which females occupy a minority of positions (44%) (Acosta & Carpenter, 2002). It is equally important to study females in assistant coaching positions since a study completed by Sagas, Cunningham, and Ashley (2000) has indicated that (a) female assistant coaches were less active in applying for head coaching positions than males and (b) they have less desire to do so in the future. The aims of this study were twofold. First, in employing the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991), we sought to examine the extent to which attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control impacted the intentions of female assistant coaches to apply for a head coaching position. Second, we aimed to establish the most important factors (i.e., belief-based measures) in predicting the intention to become a head coach. 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). Preliminary analyses (n= 188) of female assistant coaches in the sports of volleyball and soccer provided support for the Theory of Planned Behavior as a predictor of head coaching intentions. After controlling for age, previous applications, and occupational tenure, the three direct measure variables explained 63.2% of the variance in intentions. A number of the belief-based measures were also significantly related to head coaching intentions. Specifically, all of the normative belief variables (former coaches, friends, family, coaching peers, former players, current players, and current head coach) were positively correlated to head coaching intentions. Six of the attitude variables were also positively correlated with intentions (philosophy, control, role model to players, recognition, developing new skills, and decision making latitude). However, none of the behavioral control belief based variables were related to intentions. These preliminary results have produced a theoretical understanding of head coaching intentions among female coaches. Further, the significant belief based measures have provided supporting paths toward intentions that need to be maximized in practice. Keyword(s): coaching, research