The Role of Coaches to Assist Collegiate Student-Athletes for a Career After Athletics

This paper explored the importance of how coaches can assist student-athletes transitioning from an athletic career to a career outside of sports. The purpose of this study is to better understand the best methods for coaches to use to complete a successful, out of sport transition. This research focused on a Division III university in the Midwest. The research design was a combination of qualitative and data collected through interviews and surveys. The data from this study focused on a survey sent out to student-athletes along with separate interview questions to student-athletes and coaches who decided to participate. Student-athlete participants were required to have completed one full year of athletic responsibility requirements to participate. Coaches were required to have coached for five years and coached seniors who have transition out of sports into post-sport career. Student-athletes were asked to respond to a variety of questions about how coaches have assisted or not assisted them in a transition out of sports. Coaches were asked to respond to a series of question about how they could help student-athletes transition out of athletics. The results suggest coaches play a key factor in ensuring a successful transition out of sports.