High school coaches share key challenges in 2026 survey

Hiring quality assistants, problematic parents, and continuing education are among the most pressing issues facing high school coaches, according to Coach & Athletic Director’s seventh annual Coaches Survey.

First launched in 2018, the survey gathers feedback from coaches nationwide to better understand the challenges they face. The results help guide editorial coverage and provide insight into how the profession continues to evolve.

What Coaches Are Most Concerned About

Coaches were asked to identify the issues weighing most on their minds. Rankings reflect the percentage of coaches who said they were at least moderately concerned.

• Player health & safety (94%) — ranked No. 2 (unchanged from 2024)
• Staff health & safety (94%) — ranked No. 5 (up from No. 3)
• Sport specialization (88%) — ranked No. 4 (down from No. 1)
• Participation (82%) — ranked No. 7 (down from No. 4)
• Team funding (82%) — ranked No. 9 (unchanged)
• Finding quality assistants (80%) — ranked No. 1 (up from No. 10)
• Club/travel team issues (78%) — ranked No. 10 (down from No. 5)
• Fundraising (76%) — ranked No. 12 (up from No. 11)
• Problematic parents (75%) — ranked No. 6 (up from No. 7)
• Increased workload/pressure (71%) — ranked No. 3 (down from No. 6)
• Social media issues (70%) — ranked No. 9 (up from No. 8)
• Pressure to win (49%) — ranked No. 13 (down from No. 12)
• Rule changes (35%) — ranked No. 15 (up from No. 16)
• Pressure from administration (32%) — ranked No. 16 (down from No. 15)
• Opponents cheating (31%) — ranked No. 13 (unchanged)
• Job security (25%) — ranked No. 14 (unchanged)

The biggest mover was finding quality assistants, which jumped to the top concern after ranking No. 10 the previous year.

When Coaches Are Confronted by Parents

When conflicts with parents arise, coaches report that concerns are most often tied to playing time.

• Playing time — 57%
• Child’s role on the team — 37%
• My coaching abilities/strategy — 15%
• Perceived favoritism — 15%
• Child complained to parent — 17%
• Win/loss record — 5%
• Other — 10%

Quality Coaching Traits

Coaches also identified the traits they believe are most essential for success. The percentages reflect those who said each trait is “needed” or “especially needed.”

• Building trust — 100%
• Creating a positive environment — 100%
• Instilling values/virtues — 98%
• Improving weaknesses/polishing strengths — 98%
• Creating commitment — 98%
• Communicating expectations — 98%
• Hiring quality assistants — 96%
• Having fun — 92%
• Winning — 65%

Notably, performance-related outcomes like winning ranked well below culture- and relationship-driven traits.

Biggest Ranking Changes

Trending up:

• Team funding (+4)
• Fundraising (+4)
• Participation (+3)

Trending down:

• Increased workload/pressure (-7)
• Finding quality assistants (-5)
• Problematic parents (-3)

Where Coaches Want Professional Development

Coaches identified key areas where they want more training and education:

• Team culture and cohesion — 70%
• Leadership — 51%
• Strength and conditioning — 43%
• Sports psychology — 40%
• Injury prevention and rehabilitation — 38%

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Player and staff health and safety remain the top concerns for coaches at 94%.
• Finding quality assistants rose to the No. 1 overall concern in 2026.
• Parent conflicts are most often driven by playing time (57%) and team roles (37%).
• Coaches prioritize trust, culture, and values over winning when defining success.
• Team culture and leadership are the top professional development needs.
• Administrative support, workload, and staffing continue to shape the coaching landscape.

>>Read the full report.<<

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