What's Happening?
New research published in the Journal of Sport Management investigates the profound and lasting effects of unexpected job loss on women college head coaches. The study, titled 'In the Line of Fire: Examining the Lasting Impacts of Unforeseen Career-Defining
Moments for Women College Head Coaches,' was co-authored by Shaina Dabbs, Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Sport Management, and alumna Brynja Burton ’25, both from Elon University, alongside Jeffrey Graham of Texas A&M University and Anton Schulz of Texas Tech University. Through in-depth interviews with 16 women NCAA head coaches, the researchers explored how these coaches responded to career-defining moments, primarily termination or institutional investigations. The analysis identified three key themes: an abrupt and isolating separation from their professional world, an attack on their personal and professional identity, and lasting consequences affecting their finances, health, families, and future plans. The research frames forced job loss not merely as a professional transition but as a broader life crisis, highlighting the need for more humane off-boarding practices within sport organizations.
Why It's Important?
This research is important because it sheds light on a critical, yet often overlooked, issue within collegiate sports: the significant personal and professional toll of job loss on women coaches. By framing job loss as a life crisis rather than just a career transition, the study underscores the inadequacy of current off-boarding practices in many sport organizations. The findings reveal that these coaches experience not only financial instability but also profound impacts on their mental and physical health, family life, and sense of identity. This can lead to long-term consequences for individuals and potentially deter other women from pursuing coaching careers, thereby limiting diversity and representation in leadership roles within sports. The study advocates for more compassionate communication and access to independent mental health, financial, and career-transition resources, which could lead to policy changes in athletic departments across the U.S., fostering a more supportive and ethical environment for coaches.
What's Next?
The researchers hope their findings will draw greater attention to the experiences of women coaches and encourage sport organizations to re-evaluate and improve their handling of difficult career transitions. The study's call for more humane off-boarding practices, including compassionate communication and access to independent support services for mental health, financial planning, and career transition, suggests a potential shift in how athletic departments manage coaching changes. This could lead to the development and implementation of new policies and resources aimed at supporting coaches during and after job loss. Future discussions among athletic directors, university administrators, and coaching associations may focus on establishing standardized, ethical exit strategies. The research also highlights the value of faculty-student collaborations, like the one between Dabbs and Burton, in producing meaningful scholarly work, potentially inspiring more such partnerships in academic institutions.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate implications for women coaches, this research touches upon broader ethical and cultural dimensions within professional sports and employment practices. The study reveals a systemic issue where the professional identity of coaches is deeply intertwined with their employment, making job loss a deeply personal and identity-shattering event. This raises questions about the responsibility of organizations to support their employees beyond contractual obligations, especially in high-pressure, public-facing roles like coaching. The findings also highlight the gendered aspect of these experiences, suggesting that women coaches may face unique challenges or receive less support during such transitions. This could prompt a re-evaluation of gender equity in sports leadership and the development of more inclusive and supportive organizational cultures. Ultimately, the research advocates for a more empathetic and holistic approach to employee well-being, challenging the prevailing 'business-as-usual' mentality in professional sports.
