Concerned about the paucity of Black coaches and athletics
administrators on college campuses, the Black Coaches Association (BCA)
devoted a major portion of its annual conference, held last month in
Miami, to helping its members prepare and successfully compete for
positions in higher education.
“This was an educational conference,” said Rudy Washington,
executive director of the BCA and athletics director at Compton
Community College in California. “We have a lot of new members who need
to get job opportunities.”
BCA invited athletic directors and other college administrators to
the conference in hopes of sensitizing them to the concerns of the
association. Aside from meeting with members, the guests participated
in interview preparation clinics. However, the turnout of athletic
directors was mediocre.
“This is something we have to work on and invite them again. It was
not a good turnout, but I can’t say they’re not interested in the
issues,” said Alex Wood, vice president of the BCA and head football
coach at James Madison University. “It is a process that has to be
cultivated. Unfortunately, I am not a person who is diligent in waiting
my turn…[and] this is not where we extend an offer once and have them
come at our beck and call.”
Nevertheless, many were impressed with what they saw. Gene
DeFilippo, athletics director at Villanova University, was one of them.
After meeting with coaches – several of whom said they were “wowed” by
him – DeFilippo said that, as a result of the conference, he now knew
people whom he could recommend for jobs in the future.
“I had an absolutely enjoyable time at the BCA,” said DeFilippo. “I
met some wonderful people. It gave me a chance to… make friends with
some brilliant young coaches – guys who are right on the verge of
getting head coaching jobs.”
Becoming a Successful Candidate
