The Combined Positions of the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach in Interscholastic Athletics: A Qualitative Case Stud

The problem addressed by this study was the hegemonic culture supported in the hiring process of an athletic director in interscholastic athletics due to the requirement of the head football coach having to serve in the dual role of athletic director. The combination of these positions methodically eliminates women and male coaches of sports other than football. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand the rationale for the combined positions of the athletic director and head football coach in interscholastic athletics. Two concepts were used to frame the study, which may explain the rationale for the combined positions: the concept of disparate impact and the concept of hegemony. These concepts were applied to 249 interscholastic schools through analysis of schools that combine the positions as is required by school districts. These concepts were also applied to interviews conducted with hiring authorities, which posed questions as to why the positions are combined. The study found that of the 249 schools in 6A interscholastic athletics, 95% of schools combined the athletic director or athletic coordinator position with the head football coach position, supporting a hegemonic culture. The themes that emerged from interviews with hiring authorities related to 1) why the positions were combined, and 2) the attributes desired for an athletic coordinator. Results indicated the hiring process of the combined positions specifically eliminates women from the athletic director or athletic coordinator position because women are not typically football coaches, which resulted in disparate impact. The study results inform educational practice through the understanding as to the rationale for the combined positions of the athletic director and the head football coach and may encourage hiring authorities to function in a more inclusive manner.