Probably sport psychology, counseling, managment, secondary education, or one that has to do with interaction with people. Understanding the personality of the team, social dynamics, and what motivates people is more important than understanding how blood changes when it is less oxygenated.
Yeah, all one needs to know about the physiology of running can fit onto a single page. And if you think it is still the most important, let that be a sign of how much more you still have to understand. The Child Psychology suggestion is a great one.
Show me a coach with their understanding of physiology as their greatest trait, and I'll show you, uninspired stalled athletes.
The most beneficial PhD as a college coach would be Jack Daniels. As for your situation, the PhD chemist was probably scientific and methodical even before he got his degree.
I got a PHD...
A PRETTY HUGE D![%
Coaching 102 wrote:
Hola ~
My college cross country coach held a Ph.D. in chemistry, and I thought it absolutely benefited the team as our workouts and training plans were a little more scientific than most other programs (IMHO). I'm curious what might be the most beneficial degree to hold that might help runners progress and stay healthy. Physiology? Kinesiology? chem? bio? Medical degree?
forget about a Ph.D. and track.
zero good coaches have them.
zip, zero, nada.
and Kinesiology?
zip zero nada.
study Joe Rogans guests and give yourself a Ph.d. print one from your laser.
end of story
When he finishes his PhD studies, Tinman's additional knowledge learned in the process will be most beneficial to collegians, should he coach them.
A PhD in WIZARDRY would surely help you coach your runners to MAGICAL PERFORMANCES!!
Magic_Wand wrote:
A PhD in WIZARDRY would surely help you coach your runners to MAGICAL PERFORMANCES!!
Agree, anyone in a PhD in this will rock as coach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaMbKZPBruURunningart2004 wrote:
quickndirty wrote:
A phD that would allow you to be employed if the coaching thing doesn't work out.
I don't know if I would even want a coach with a PhD. Coaching isn't science, it's an art.
If you have a PhD and are coaching XC at any level I think you need to rethink your career choices.....unless you’re making close to 6 figures or more.
Alan
You must be under the impression that having a PhD ensures you make a lot of money and/or good job prospects.
But yeah, psychology, kinesiology, exercise physiology, etc. could all be good IF you have the ability to translate your technical knowledge in to practical benefits for your team, which is no small feat.
If your focus is on being a college coach versus being a professor with a PhD, then do an MS in PE, exercise science or similar, and that should be enough to teach classes as an adjunct/lecturer. There are very few professor jobs (requiring a PhD) that would give you the time to be coaching also. If you want to combing teaching and coaching, the high school level your best bet.
Magic_Wand wrote:
A PhD in WIZARDRY would surely help you coach your runners to MAGICAL PERFORMANCES!!
This. With that said, I have talked with a few college coaches that said without a masters degree in a coaching discipline they wouldn't have been competitive enough to get the job. Something with a focus on exercise science, kinesiology, nutrition, or even leadership are my first thoughts.
PhD in chemistry and so he decided to be a running coach?
Did he ever work in anything related to his PhD or did he just jump straight into coaching? If not then he is one of those people who are intimidated by the real world and can’t climb out of academia.
A PhD is a waste of time and money for a coach.
None. Get good at brown nosing as a grad assistant or volunteer. Write a desperate letter. Get lucky. Be a former all-American , pro with some credibility. Education, certifications will not open any doors in the college ranks.
Probably that Tim Noakes guy. The team would get free steak, pork bellies and yummy bacon every day.
A PhD in early childhood development.
BiggaPicha wrote:
As a runner I want a coach that has successfully coached runners IDGAF about his academic credentials.
Look at Jack Daniels, very smart, great technical knowledge, but how many great runners has he coached? Would you rather be coached by Daniels or Gags? I know who I'd chose.
Back off on Jack. JTD got more high level results (for years!) out of what other coaches would consider sub-par talent for some anonymous, message board hack to take shots at him.
Dude is one of the classiest people (first and foremost) AND one of the best coaches.
Clearly you don't understand coaching.
None
Coaching is about experience. Experimenting with different workouts and seeing what works and what doesn't Then when you find the key to success, stick with it. A PhD doesn't help with that.
It's not surprising a Chem PhD was a college coach. A chemistry PhD is almost useless for getting a job. Even academic jobs don't pay Chemistry PhDs very much. All of the Chemistry PhDs I know (which is several) went on to do something unrelated. Some became accountants and others sales jobs. And now I know one person became a cross country coach.
Psychology, or something along those lines. Plenty of coaches with very little science background are extraordinarily successful. Running is waaay more mental than anybody wants to admit. You have to know what gets your kids going and get them in the correct mindset they need to be successful, and that can be quite different from one person to the next.