This study examines the hiring practices for head football coaches at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivison (FBS) “Power 5” level. The research assesses the hiring practices used by athletic departments and evaluates various components of the hiring process that are utilized when hiring a head football coach. Additionally, this study seeks to identify trends and common practices used by Athletic Directors when hiring head football coaches.udParticipating Athletic Directors completed a survey questionnaire which asked them to share insights regarding their personal experience with hiring head football coaches. The results of the study revealed that 1) the majority of athletic departments do not have a written framework or guidelines for hiring head football coaches, but many Athletic Directors do follow their own specific process; 2) many Athletic Directors have little education or training on hiring head football coaches, and mostly rely on “on the job training”; 3) search firms bring value to the process when assisting Athletic Directors in their head football coach search; and 4) the majority of Athletic Directors would support a policy similar to the NFL’s Rooney Rule that would mandate at least one minority candidate to be interviewed during the hiring process for a head football coaching vacancy. udEvidence from this study could encourage Athletic Directors and university presidents to consider the benefits of a best practices framework or specific process when trying to hire the most qualified and effective head football coach. Information obtained from this study may also help university leaders analyze their current hiring practices, policies, and processes, and make any necessary changes for identifying and hiring the best head football coach.
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