Female Coaches: The Invisible Models

 The difference in attitude towards male and female coaches is completely opposite from the impact male and female coaches make on their team. Men are seen to be leaders and problem solvers while women are helpers and assistants. Women are looked down upon and doubted even though having a female coach creates a different sense of community on the team. Women and men having female role models as coaches are also highly effective when solving the issue of inequity in sports. So, even though women bring such positives to their teams, why are they walking away from the job?

As Mrs. Barcomb explained, the 90’s carried mostly female coaches for college but most would need to have a second job to support themselves. The median salary was about $18,000 a year, thankfully that has now increased. At that time, it covered an apartment and some amenities. Now imagine being a mother trying to support your family. This sense of inequality is not a coincidence but a result of societal norms. Although we have seen a devout decrease in female head coaches some continue to represent. 

Today the head basketball coach at LSU has a deal that pays $32 Million over 10 years. That is impressive yet a man who has been fired still finds another job while finishing his former contract.

When a woman loses her job she loses all professional respect. Due to a significant hiring pattern, 90% of head coaches were women now that percentage has dropped to 42%.In men's sports, only 3% of head coaches are women. Although Title XI redefined the athletic world for athletes, female coaches are still unappreciated. 

This notion of downgrading women is so ingrained that the idea of hiring a coach such as Pat Summit was laughed at. Looking at her all-time national records this was highly disrespectful. As a coach, she had the highest number of wins between men and women in the NCAA. Her fearless actions and tough love were seen to be emotional and b*itchy even after leading her teams to multiple championships. For male coaches such as Rick Bennett who physically assault other coaches, they are not removed from their positions but praised for their “commitment” to the game.  

Women have been restricted from fully enjoying and indulging in their sports because of social stereotypes, and at some point, it has to come to an end because representation and recognition matter. 

“Men have the Power. Men make the decision. And when these girls are coming out to play, who’s there to tell them who to be. And where's a better place for that other than sports.”- Female Coaches.