For those who are passionate about sports, pursuing a career as an athletic administrator or athletic director is a popular choice. Ohio University’s online Master of Athletic Administration is explicitly designed for teachers, coaches and other athletic professionals who want to lead interscholastic athletics departments at the K-12 level. We spoke with John Guillean, a graduate of the Master’s in Athletic Administration (MAA) program, about his experience as a basketball coach who went back to school to become an athletic director.
John, who is currently employed as a district athletic director and girls’ varsity basketball coach, earned his MAA in 2022 and has valuable insights to share with others interested in the program.
The Role of Coaches and Athletic Directors in K-12 Schools
The idea to pursue a career as an athletic director came from a principal. “I had finished my third year of coaching girls’ varsity basketball, and the principal said, ‘You know, you would make a really good athletic director.’ I had never even thought about that as a career path,” he said.
When an athletic director role opened in a neighboring community, John opted to apply for the job even though he didn’t have formal education in the field. “I was learning on the go. I thought the job was awesome and wanted to see what degrees were out there for athletic administration,” he said.
Coaches like John who are ready for professional advancement often pursue athletic administration jobs because they can utilize their expertise in leading sports teams on a larger scale, overseeing athletic departments with multiple teams, coaches and trainers. High school coaches guide and motivate student-athletes to improve their skills, while athletic directors and other interscholastic athletic administrators are department
leaders who ensure students, coaches and staff have the support and resources they need to achieve at a high level.
Why Choose OHIO’s Online MAA?
John considered several factors when researching MAA programs and found what he was looking for at OHIO. “I selected Ohio University over other competitors because it checked every box. It fit my budget, it fit my timeline, and it prepared me for the certified athletic administrator (CAA) exam following completion – that’s something I achieved a month after I graduated,” he said.
As a part-time student, John could complete his studies while continuing to work full time. He also used the MAA program for professional development during his first two years working as an athletic director. “I was able to balance my responsibilities as the athletic director while pursuing my degree. I was learning from professors who have done the job, as well as peers that I met through the program. It made me a better athletic director and a better employee for the school district,” he said.
Responsiveness and personal attention from faculty were other essential aspects of the program for John. “Anytime I had a question, I could email or call them, and they’d respond quickly. I never felt like I was in the dark about anything. I never felt like I was helpless or a task was impossible,” he said.
Lead the Next Generation of Student Athletes
A Real-World Curriculum for Today’s Athletic Director Jobs
Throughout his master’s in athletic administration program, John found he was able to apply his studies on the job. The Legal Foundations in Interscholastic Athletics course was particularly beneficial because it explored essential areas of athletic administration operations like liability, risk management, and Title IX regulations. “The program has helped keep me – and the school – on track in terms of equity, especially when evaluating resources and programs for student-athletes,” he said.
An element of the MAA curriculum that he found particularly applicable to his athletic director role was the incorporation of a platform for creating and sharing social media sports content. I got to use Gipper, which upped my social media game tenfold. The first month that I was able to use this tool in my job, the school loved it. The community loved it,” he said.
OHIO’s expert instructors teach every online MAA course, and John found their insights from the field highly relevant to his day-to-day work. “It seemed to go hand in hand, and I
was able to utilize the things that I was learning in my MAA program on the job right then and there,” he said.
Earn Your MAA Degree and Support Student Athletes
Becoming an athletic director has enabled John to impact students while applying his love for sports to a rewarding career. “While I was working in in a small school, I was able to be our boys' basketball coach. Occasionally, I would also substitute teach, so I stepped in to build those relationships during the day. It makes the job rewarding when you build connections with kids,” he said.
John also offered advice for those who are considering the MAA. “I would have been more prepared if I had the MAA degree prior to becoming an athletic director. The MAA program truly gives you the tools to prepare for the AD role,” he said.
Prepare to Lead Interscholastic Athletics Departments
If you’re ready to take the next step in your athletics career, OHIO’s 100% online MAA program can be completed in 20 months and is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation. OHIO has also partnered with the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association to ensure you receive the industry-focused education you need for success.
When you finish the program, you can pursue Registered Athletic Administrator, Certified Athletic Administrator or Certified Master Athletic Administrator certification through the NIAAA. Because OHIO’s program focuses exclusively on interscholastic athletic administration, you’ll develop the specialized skill set you need to work as an athletic director in any K-12 institution. Contact us to learn more about how an OHIO degree can help you reach your career goals.
About John Guillean
John, who is currently employed as a district athletic director and girls’ varsity basketball coach, earned his MAA in 2022 and has valuable insights to share with others interested in the program.
Related Resources
- Learn Field-Specific Skills for Athletic Director Jobs
- NIAAA Certification and Your Athletic Director Career
- A Career as an Athletic Director: Description, Duties and Degree
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