| The current culture of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) driven by commercial and professional movements has experienced increasing trends in big-time coaching salaries and media attention of coaching contracts. The purpose of this study was to identify the legal issues and clauses that were presented in head coach litigation involving NCAA Division I football and basketball coaches. The study set out to answer the following questions: (1) What general contract issues are being litigated in breach of contract cases involving coaches?, (2) Are there certain clause that are frequently covered in contract lawsuits?, (3) What contract clauses protect head coaches in contract formation?, and (4) What contract clauses protect institutions in contract formation? The study found the importance of a thoughtful negotiation process and concluded with 19 recommendations for drafting Division I college coaching contracts that will help minimize the costly consequences of premature termination. |
