Abstract

Coaching is a volatile profession where abrupt and unexpected events across a variety of  factors can lead to dramatic shifts in failure and success, or in more dramatic cases, changes in a  team’s coaching staff. This study aims to explore the association between the utilization of a  particular coaching style, the level of stress a coach might experience when implementing that  style, perceived program success, and finally, team record. Research was conducted through  completing in depth interviews with six members of the College of Wooster football coaching  staff. Through a thematic analysis of the transcripts, patterns were identified and themes were  created. The main finding of this study was that coaching style in itself does not significantly  affect any of the variables including team record, perceived success, and level of stress. Coaches  who had maintained consistent styles over their careers had experienced big changes in season over-season performance and success, and coaches who felt that they had made changes  sometimes experienced no meaningful change in results. Instead, analysis suggests that a coach's  ability to communicate with players and staff is the factor most likely to lead to perceived  program success and improved team records. The overall implication of this study indicates that  emphasizing the ability of coaches to communicate effectively has a greater impact on team  success than coaching styles considered separately.

Advisor

Yavari, Mehri

Department

Communication Studies

Disciplines

Sports Studies

Keywords

Coaching Styles, Leadership, Football, College Coaching

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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