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

Communication

Keywords

College Football, Coaching Style, Stress, Game Record, Success, In-Depth Interview, Thematic Analysis

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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