Sports Coaching Degree | Troy University

Live Out Your Passion for Sports with a Coaching Degree from TROY

Do you have a love for the game and a desire to build strong teams and athletes? If so, a bachelor’s degree in sports coaching from Troy University is right for you. In our program, you’ll gain specialized knowledge and field experience in all the areas you need to be an effective coach, from nutrition to sport-specific topics. You’ll prepare for industry-standard coaching credentials such as the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) coaching and CoachSafely certifications. And you’ll do it all 100% online, allowing you to work while you earn your sports coaching degree.

TROY Women's Basketball coach, Chanda Rigby, coaching from the sidelines.

“Through preparation in the BS in Sports Coaching, an individual can go into youth (club/travel), high school (private/club/travel), collegiate, and professional coaching as well as personal training. With the ever growing popularity of sports in the United States, sports coaching positions are more rapidly becoming available. Over 20% expected growth over the next 10 years.”

Dr. J. Brandon Sluder | Professor of Sport Pedagogy, Troy University Kinesiology and Health Promotion

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Benefit from a rigorous curriculum that trains you in areas such as nutrition, leadership, psychology, health, fitness, weight training, ethics, statistics, specific sports and officiating. Your TROY courses prepare you to be an effective, well-rounded coach and earn your Level I and Level II NFHS coaching and CoachSafely certifications. That means you’ll be well-positioned for sports coaching jobs right away after earning your bachelor’s degree.

Get Experience in a Semester-Long Internship

Train as a coach in a professional internship program that spans 216 hours over an entire semester. Your internship gives you the opportunity to assume the role of a coach while receiving supervision and guidance from a preceptor (coach) and university mentor in your sport of interest. In the TROY internship program, you’ll build and demonstrate the skills you’ll need in your sports coaching career, such as leadership, communication, game analysis and teamwork.

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B.S. in Sports Coaching Curriculum

While specific courses may vary from year to year, your coaching courses may include:

Academic Catalog

Sports Coaching Program Locations

Get the flexibility you need by taking sports coaching courses online while completing your internship where it works for you. For more information about program availability and delivery call 1-800-414-5756.

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Led by Faculty with Diverse Sports Coaching Careers

Earning your bachelor’s degree in sports coaching from TROY means learning alongside faculty with both academic and professional experience. Our coaching faculty hold doctoral degrees in kinesiology, physical education and other sports-related fields, with research interests spanning from exercise physiology to mental health.

In addition to their academic expertise, our faculty have experience as college or professional athletes, athletic trainers, physical education instructors and high school coaches. All TROY Sports Coaching faculty hold current certified Interscholastic Coach credentials as well as Level III NFHS coaching certifications, CoachSafely certifications and most hold State of Alabama Physical Education Teaching certifications (LPT).

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Sports Coaching Careers

Whether you want to coach high school sports, lead sports programs at local recreation centers or continue your studies in a master’s program, TROY’s coaching degree sets you up for success. Graduates of the sports coaching degree online program can go into the following careers: sports coach (youth, high school, collegiate, professional), personal trainer, head coach, assistant coach, recreation manager, and strength and conditioning coach.

Faculty Profiles

J. Brandon Sluder, Ph.D., LPT, CIC

J. Brandon Sluder is professor and chair of the department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Dr. Sluder received his BS in Physical Education from the University of South Carolina, his MS in Health and Human Performance -Pedagogy from Auburn University and his Ph.D. in Kinesiology – Pedagogy from Auburn University. Dr. Sluder is a certified teacher and certified interscholastic coach.

Learn more about our faculty 334-808-6292 jbsluder@troy.edu

Candice Howard-Smith, Ph.D., CIC

Candice Howard-Smith is a professor and program coordinator in the department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Dr. Smith received her MS & BS in Physical Education from Troy University, and her Ph.D. in Exercise Science – Motor Development from Auburn University. Dr. Smith is a certified teacher and certified interscholastic coach.

Learn more about our faculty 334-670-5863 choward@troy.edu

Kacie Lanier, Ph.D., LPT, CSCS, CIC

Kacie Lanier is an assistant professor in the department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Dr. Lanier received her BS in Psychology from the University of Georgia, her MS in Health & Physical Education from Georgia Southern University and her Ph.D. in Physical Education from Georgia State University. Dr. Lanier is a certified teacher, certified strength and conditioning specialist and certified interscholastic coach.

Learn more about our faculty 334-808-6812 lanierk@troy.edu

Tyler Martin, Ph.D., CSCS, CIC

Tyler Martin is a professor, the graduate program coordinator, and Strength and Conditioning Coordinator of Kinesiology and Health Promotion at Troy University in Troy, Alabama. Dr. Martin received his BS in Exercise Physiology from Mississippi State University, and his Ph.D. and MS in Exercise Physiology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Martin is a certified strength and conditioning specialist.

Learn more about our faculty 334-808-6291 tdmartin@troy.edu

Related Programs

Physical Education Major

FAQ About TROY’s Sports Coaching Degree Program

Learn more about the sports coaching field, coaching careers and our program.

What degree do you need to be a sports coach?

The degree you need to be a sports coach varies based on the position and level of coaching involved. A bachelor’s degree in sports coaching from TROY prepares you for a wide range of coaching careers and three industry certifications, including Level I and Level II NFHS coaching and CoachSafely certifications. These credentials help to demonstrate your competence as a sports coach and can qualify you to coach at the youth and high school levels.

A bachelor’s degree in sports coaching also prepares you to coach at other levels; however, you may need a master’s degree in coaching to coach collegiate and professional sports.

What coaching jobs can you get with a sports coaching degree?

A sports coaching degree prepares you for numerous coaching jobs. With a sports coaching degree, you can coach specific sports, such as football, basketball or volleyball, for athletes of all ages and skill levels. Some specific coaching job titles include assistant or head youth sports coach, high school sports coach or collegiate sports coach. You may also work as a personal or athletic trainer.

Can you get a sports coaching degree online?

Yes, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in sports coaching online. TROY’s program features online courses and an internship that you can complete on your schedule, from anywhere.

Can I start the program in any term?

No, you may only begin the program in Term I unless approved by the Sports Coaching Program Coordinator.

Sports Coaching

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Live Out Your Passion for Sports with a Coaching Degree from TROY

Hit the Ground Running with Industry Certifications