| Athletic coaches have the potential to be among the most influential people in a young person's life and athletes often idolize their coaches. The impact a coach has on an athlete endures psychologically, physically, and emotionally. This study embraced the Sport Commitment Model (Scanlan, T. K., Carpenter, P. J., Schmidt, G. W., Simons, J. P., & Keeler, B., 1993a; Scanlan, T. K., Russell, D. G., Magyar, T. M., & Scanlan, L. A.,, 2009) as a theoretical framework to understand the antecedents of coaches' commitment to coaching. The goal of this study was to examine the viability of the Coaches' Commitment Model (CCM) with soccer coaches. The theoretical framework of the SCM provided a mechanism to understand the determinants of soccer coaches' commitment to coaching, as the modified measurement model met satisfactory model fit (chi2 = 753.5 [df = 215], CFI = .954, NNFI = .946, RMSEA = .039, and SRMR = .0388). While the structural model failed to converge, this does not mean the SCM is not a viable theoretical framework for coaches. The theory behind the models (i.e., SCM and CCM) is that enjoyment, involvement alternatives/other priorities, personal investments, social constraints, involvement opportunities/valuable opportunities and social support predict coaches' commitment. The soccer coaches in the study seem to express their lifelong involvement in sports, thus their commitment to coaching. Overall, they have been long time athletic participants and consider themselves more than just novice coaches. Additionally, the opportunity to coach and work with athletes was the strongest predictor of coaches' commitment. Furthermore, these coaches not only value the opportunities to work with their athletes, they enjoy coaching. |
