A qualitative study exploring how black football coaches experience quality coach-athlete relationships

Abstract

Scholars have promoted the importance of developing quality coach-athlete relationships since the early 2000s. However, the perspective of Black coaches has been absent from the literature. Therefore, this research study explored what makes for high-quality coach-athlete relationships for Black coaches. Nine high school football coaches from the Midwest of the United States completed a 60–90-minute semi-structured interview consisting of questions constructed using the 3C coach-athlete relationship model of closeness, commitment, and complementarity. A thematic qualitative research design was implemented. The results revealed three main themes: coaching characteristics, athlete characteristics, and maintenance strategies. Additionally, coaching characteristics had six subthemes (e.g., being a father figure), and athlete characteristics had four subthemes (e.g., athletes’ academics). Results indicate that Black football coaches at the high school level can serve as parental role models who develop quality coach-athlete relationships by being aware of such issues as athletes’ academic status, creating a caring and task-involving climate, and using authentic and transformational leadership approaches.

Department(s)

School of Health Sciences

Document Type

Article

DOI

10.1080/13573322.2026.2654178

Keywords

3C Model, Adolescent sports, Coaching, Qualitative research, Sport and exercise psychology

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal Title

Sport Education and Society

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