Ever wonder who actually keeps a basketball program running?
It’s not only the head coach screaming on the sidelines. It’s not just the best player on the team hitting shots from downtown. There are dozens of people behind every successful program grinding away at the mundane, necessary tasks that no one notices.
These are the unsung roles. The ones that hold modern basketball programs together.
In this article you will learn who these individuals are, what they do, and why a program cannot survive without them.
Let’s get into it…
Here’s what’s coming up:
- Why Basketball Programs Need More Than Just Coaches
- The Hidden Roles Inside Every Program
- Athletic Director Qualifications & The People At The Top
- How These Roles Work Together To Win
Why Basketball Programs Need More Than Just Coaches
A modern basketball program is way more complicated than people think.
There’s recruiting. Travel. Film breakdown. Strength and conditioning. Compliance. Academic support. Mental performance. Equipment. Media. Fundraising.
That’s a lot of plates to spin. And no HC can spin them by himself.
Hence why an average D1 men’s basketball program has about 5-6 people on staff. Some programs have up to 12+. The Coach your watching on tv is only part of it.
Here’s the crazy part about that: There is an NCAA limit to the number of “noncoaching” personnel who can directly work for a basketball program. Programs can only have two of these positions — think director of operations, video coordinator — per team.
And that’s where solid athletic director qualifications are crucial. The leader of the department must understand how to staff their program with quality people in every seat. Many athletic directors have at least a bachelor’s degree (if not master’s) and spent some time working on their online degree in sports management as they ascended through the ranks. AD qualifications are important because one bad hire at any position can derail a season.
The Hidden Roles Inside Every Program
They are the unsung heroes of the game.
Director of Basketball Operations
The “DOBO” is the glue of the program.
This individual manages travel for the team, hotel reservations, meals, equipment purchases, and hundreds of other little things that would consume the head coach’s time.
Without a good DOBO?
- Travel falls apart
- Practice schedules get messy
- Players show up to the wrong gym
It really is that important.
Video Coordinator
Modern basketball runs on film.
Video coordinators clip, tag and edit hundreds of hours of game footage each season. They compile scouting reports for future opponents and create breakdown packages on individual players.
This may be one of the most typical jobs for someone just getting into college basketball. Many head coaches have held this position.
Strength & Conditioning Coach
This is the person who turns recruits into athletes.
An excellent strength coach tailors workouts to your sport, helps prevent injuries, and manages player freshness throughout a grueling season. They communicate with the medical staff to monitor loads and recovery.
If you jump higher in March than you did in November… thank your strength coach.
Athletic Trainer
Athletic trainers are the unsung heroes of every roster.
They tape ankles, clean injuries, run rehab programs and ultimately decide if a player is physically ready to compete. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says athletic trainer jobs are projected to grow 17% from 2021-2031 — much faster than average. Just goes to show you how valuable they are.
Player Development Coach
This role didn’t even exist 20 years ago.
Now? Every serious program has one.
Player Development coaches shoot in one-on-one with players on form, ball handling, footwork and decision making. They wake up early to hit the gym before anybody else.
Analytics Staff
Analytics has changed the game.
Analytics teams supply coaching staff with data on lineup performance, shot quality, opponents tendencies, and matchups. Every team with brains has someone buried in spreadsheets and shot charts.
Compliance Officer
Boring? Yes. Critical? Absolutely.
The compliance officer ensures the program is compliant with all NCAA rules. One mistake can result in a program losing scholarships, postseason bans, etc.
Athletic Director Qualifications & The People At The Top
Above the coaching staff sits the athletic director.
This is the CEO of the whole department. This person hires and fires coaches, approves budgets, does fundraising, etc. They answer to school leadership if there’s a problem.
Athletic director qualifications usually include:
- A bachelor’s degree in sports management, business, or a related field
- A master’s degree (preferred for most college roles)
- Years of experience in coaching, administration, or both
- Certifications from groups like the NIAAA
There’s plenty of room at the top. Employment in sports management positions across the U.S. is expected to increase by 13% from 2022-2032. Athletic directors with the right qualifications are in high demand.
Basketball Ops staff start at around $49,130 per year, but it jumps sharply for Directors and AD level positions.
How These Roles Work Together To Win
Here’s the truth: A basketball program is a machine.
Take one piece out and the whole thing wobbles.
- The DOBO frees up the head coach
- The video staff sharpens the game plan
- The strength coach keeps the roster healthy
- The trainer manages injuries
- The development coaches build players
- The analytics team finds edges
- The AD keeps the whole thing funded and aligned
Basketball is a team sport these days. You need everyone rowing in the same direction to win.
That’s why teams that develop their depth, not just stars, remain fixtures in the playoffs.
Bringing It Home
The next time you view a basketball game, watch behind the coach and players.
Consider the DOBO who purchased the travel. The video coordinator who constructed the scout. The trainer who helped get the team player of the game back on the floor. The athletic director who hired the head coach to begin with.
These are the glue guy positions every NBA team covets. They don’t get a lot of glory. They rarely get acknowledged. But no team goes far without one.
Want to pursue a career in this realm? As an AD, director of operations or video coordinator? Begin by cultivating your credentials. Earn the degree. Complete the internships. Study every position.
Winning programs are full of great people in every seat. Be one of those seats.