Abstract:
The lack of minority head coaches at the Division I-A level is not a new
trend, nor one that is improving. In a sport where less than 10% of head coaches are
minorities, a survey was randomly sent out to several head and assistant coaches at the
collegiate level. The survey showed most coaches believe there are discrepancies in the
hiring process that impair minorities, there tends to be unfair favoritism towards nonminority
coaches after a termination and minority coaches are less likely to be
recommended for a head coaching position. To encourage the diversity among head coaches, recommendations should include diversifying the hiring search committee,
adding a rule similar to the National Football League's Rooney Rule and adding
additional graduate assistant positions.