Career Awareness, Career Planning, and Career Transition Needs Among Sports Coaches

This study is conducted with 56 recently retired full-time sports coaches to examine the importance of career awareness, postsport career planning, and career transition needs. Results indicate that the individuals do not have a high level of career awareness, have done relatively little postsport career planning during their coaching careers, and moderately appreciate their career transition needs. However, a positive relationship is found between support systems for coaches and career awareness, career planning, and career transition needs. Results are discussed with regard to career transition theory, as well as previous research on career transitions among sports coaches and athletes. Recommendations for future research, as well as suggestions for career counseling practice, are suggested.