Football coaches chosen for NCAA Champion Forum

Nine minority football coaches have been selected to participate in the 2016 NCAA Champion Forum, a unique professional development opportunity where attendees gain a realistic view of the role of a successful college head football coach and the preparation necessary to become one.

The participants will come together June 13-15 in Dallas in conjunction with the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention.

The Atlantic Coast, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and Southeastern conferences host the program and select the attendees – rising minority coaches in college football who will lead the next generation of head coaches.

"The Champion Forum is an unmatched opportunity, exposing minority football coaches to the latest information and robust experiences, delivered by practiced experts in the field,” said Bernard Franklin, NCAA executive vice president of education and community engagement and chief inclusion officer.

The participants simulate the interview process, a core part of the curriculum. Additionally, they engage key decision makers in college sports, including university presidents, directors of athletics, conference commissioners, current and former head coaches, and search firms.

"A tremendous part of the hiring process is predicated on relationships,” Franklin said, “and at this forum, the participants learn how to clearly communicate their coaching philosophies and visions of a successful football program so when they get the real interview with a school, they are prepared with the right answers based on having had the right experiences.”

Woodie Dixon, who oversees football for the Pac-12 as the general counsel and senior vice president of business affairs, said the Champion Forum is making a difference as universities look for more diversity in their head coaching ranks.

"The Champion Forum offers great exposure for our top coaches and a platform from which to grow the pool of qualified head coaching candidates,” Dixon said. “The educational value of simulated interviews, in-front-of-camera situations, and meeting with the leading search firms is a great supplement to their on-field knowledge as they progress up the coaching ranks.”

Since its inception in 2006 as the Minority Coaches Forum, 15 minority coaches who were involved in the program have gone on to obtain head coaching jobs. Current head coaches and forum alumni include James Franklin (Penn State), Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M), Derek Mason (Vanderbilt), Darrell Hazell (Purdue), Scottie Montgomery (East Carolina) and Everett Withers (Texas State).

NCAA leadership development, located in Indianapolis, coordinates and facilitates education and training for student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators. The staff annually hosts programs, at little or no cost to members, using expert curriculum designed to enhance the well-being and personal development of college athletes. The staff also provides ongoing education and topical training to athletics professionals who identify and serve student-athlete needs. For more information, visit www.NCAA.org/leadershipdevelopment.

2016 NCAA Champion Forum participants