Coaching mindset: Understanding coaching personality and behaviors to develop personalized communication training to maximize player performance

This phase of a longitudinal study examined the individual personality traits and coaching styles of a collegiate NCAA Division II mens soccer coaching staff. The primary goal was to gather detailed profile data that would inform the design of a targeted communication training program tailored to the needs of the coaching staff and their team environment. A descriptive research design was employed to assess the behavioral tendencies and leadership approaches of one head coach and three assistant coaches within a single collegiate program. Personality traits were measured using the Littauer Personality Plus, while coaching behaviors were evaluated through the Coaching Behaviors Questionnaire. Data collection focused on temperament characteristics and specific communication-related coaching practices. The findings revealed distinct personality profiles and coaching behavior patterns among the staff members. These insights highlighted varying approaches to leadership, motivation, and interpersonal communication. The results indicated that despite differences in style, a tailored communication training program could support alignment across coaching staff and enhance relational dynamics with student-athletes. Further research is warranted to explore how communication training programs tailored to individual coaching styles and grounded in both relational and on-field performance data can enhance athlete engagement, strengthen team cohesion, and improve player retention in athletic programs.