Working Copy
In
2003, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved funds to establish a NCAA
Coaches Academy (Academy) for ethnic minority football coaches. The Board of Directors based the funding
on program recommendations from the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests
Committee (MOIC) Report on Ethnic Diversity of Football Coaching Staffs to the
Football Study Oversight Committee, completed in August 2002.
In
reviewing the recommendations, the Board of Directors determined that a coaches
academy be created to include comprehensive workshops that focus on interview
preparation, networking, resume building, media training, and other areas for
ethnic minority coaches at all levels.
The Board also determined a mentor program be developed to assign
veteran high-profile head coaches with selected minority head and potential
head coaches for networking and one-on-one skills enhancement.
In
support of the NCAA’s efforts to enhance opportunities for ethnic
minority football coaches, the National Football League (NFL) contributed funds
to assist in the professional development for the next level of ethnic minority
head football coaches. The NFL
requested the Black Coaches Association (BCA) also partner in this
endeavor.
The
NCAA will pilot the Academy beginning January 2004. The Academy will encompass three
distinct programs: The Advanced
Coaching Program, the Expert Coaching Program, and the Executive Coaching
program. Ethnic-minority football
coaches at NCAA colleges and universities will be eligible to enroll in the
pilot programs. Ethnic minority and
women collegiate-level coaches will be eligible in future years as the Academy
expands to all sports.
The
mission of the NCAA Coaches Academy is to assist ethnic minority and women
coaches with career advancement through skills enhancement, networking and
exposure opportunities and to raise awareness regarding the substantial pool of
talented ethnic minority and women coaches.
The
following are objectives for the Academy:
1. To increase the
understanding and application of skills necessary to secure head coaching
positions.
2. To increase the
understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in head
coaching at the intercollegiate level.
3. To motivate assistant
coaches and coordinators to pursue careers as head coaches at the Division I-A
level.
4. To introduce ethnic minority
and women coaches to senior-level coaches and administrators through a
mentoring program.
5. To raise public awareness of
the existing talent pool of ethnic minority and women coaches.
6. To promote the coaching profession to student-athletes, graduate assistants and others.
The Advanced Coaching
Program
Schedule: Workshops will be conducted prior to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) annual convention. Workshop will be scheduled over a three-day period: 4 hours on the first day (p.m.), 8 hours on the second day and 4 hours on the third day (a.m.).
Each workshop is designed to teach and reinforce various aspects of securing, managing and excelling in head coaching positions at the intercollegiate level. Workshop topics will focus on:
·
Communication
including public speaking, booster/alumni relations, interviewing skills (questions to expect), networking, building a portfolio (communication) and parent relationships
·
Fiscal Responsibilities
including fundraising, budgeting and health and safety concerns
·
Building a Successful Program
including managing coaching staff, building a portfolio (strategy), relationships with CEO, AD, alumni and community, time management and delegation/evaluation
·
Moral/Ethical Considerations
including gambling issues, NCAA rules and regulations/infractions, agents, choices/consequences, integrity, and “the double standard”
·
Academic Issues
including academic support, academic fraud, retention, NCAA rules and regulations, academic success
The Advanced Coaching Program will also include one workshop that will focus on one of the national standards for athletic coaches. This workshop will be open to all attendees during the AFCA convention. In the future, select workshops may be offered in conjunction with the Black Coaches Association (BCA) annual convention.
Participants: The Advanced Coaching Program is designed for ethnic minority football coaches with a desire to secure head coaching positions at the Division I-A level. Ethnic minority head coaches at Division I-AA, Division II and Division III, as well as assistant coaches and coordinators at all levels with a minimum of four (4) years of coaching experience are eligible to attend. For the purposes of the Academy, ethnic minorities are described pursuant to the Federal Guidelines of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): American Indian or Native Alaskan; Asian or Pacific Islander; African American or Black; Latino or Hispanic.
Institutional Responsibilities: Institutions shall support eligible coaches for participation in The Advanced Coaching Program. Upon enrollment, the participant must attend and is responsible for travel and lodging costs. There are no registration fees. Upon completion, institutions are eligible to apply for scholarship funds to defray lodging costs.
Coaches Academy Responsibilities: The Academy shall provide recognized leaders in higher education, intercollegiate athletics and football professionals to serve as faculty. In addition, the Academy shall provide meals and program materials. The Academy will also provide scholarship funds to help defray lodging costs for participants.
Application Procedure:
· Application materials will be available June 1 annually.
· The application, letter of recommendation from the director of athletics or head football coach and a personal statement from the applicant shall be submitted by August 1.
· A selection committee will review application materials and notify applicants of their enrollment status.
· The Advanced Coaching Program will enroll not more than 20 football coaches in the pilot year.
Administration: The NCAA will administer The Advanced Coaching Program. The NCAA will partner with the AFCA and the BCA in support of the program.
The Expert Coaching Program
Schedule: The Expert Coaching Program will be
conducted annually in conjunction with the Black Coaches Association annual
convention. The program will be
scheduled over a four-day period: 4
hours on the first day (p.m.); 8 hours on the second day; 8 hours on the third
day and 4 hours on the fourth day (a.m.)
The
program is designed to:
·
Develop innovative coaching approaches.
·
Strengthen relationships with players.
·
Introduce new game strategies.
·
Provide game day coaching skills.
·
Handle off-field concerns.
Participants: The Expert Coaching Program is designed
for ethnic minority football coaches with the skills and experience to succeed
as head coaches at the Division I-A level.
Ethnic minority head coaches at Division I-AA and Division II as well as
assistant and coordinator coaches at all levels with a minimum of six (6) years
coaching experience are eligible to participate. For the purposes of the program, ethnic
minorities are described pursuant to the Federal Guidelines of the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB):
American Indian or Native Alaskan; Asian or Pacific Islander; African
American or Black; Latino or Hispanic.
Institutional
Responsibilities: Institutions shall
nominate eligible coaches for participation in The Expert Coaching
Program. Upon enrollment, the
participant must attend the four-day program. There are no fees to participate.
Coaches
Academy: The Coaches Academy shall provide
recognized leaders in higher education, intercollegiate athletics and football
professionals to serve as faculty.
In addition, the Academy shall provide travel and lodging costs, meals
and program materials.
Application
Procedure:
·
A letter of nomination from the director of athletics and head football
coach (unless applicant) and a personal statement from the applicant shall be
submitted by August 1.
·
A selection committee will review nomination materials and notify
applicants of their enrollment status.
·
The Expert Coaching Program will enroll not more than 10 coaches in the
pilot year.
Administration: The NCAA will administer The Expert Coaching Program. The NCAA will partner with the BCA, NFL and AFCA in support of the program.