NCAA CHAMPION FORUM
The NCAA Champion Forum is a transformative, yearlong professional development experience that prepares high-potential assistant and associate head coaches to become impactful head coaches. Aligned with the NCAA’s mission to enhance the student-athlete experience across Divisions I, II and III, the Forum delivers immersive education, mentoring and interview simulations.
The program has three sport-specific iterations: Champion Forum for Football, Champion Forum for Men’s Basketball and Champion Forum for Women’s Basketball.
Important Dates
Football In-person Forum: TBA
Men’s & Women’s Basketball In-person Forum: TBA
Current Division I assistant or associate head coach in football, men’s basketball or women’s basketball.
Hybrid learning with an intensive, in-person experience. A combination of two out of three sports (Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball) will be offered each academic year.
Yearlong engagement anchored by a two- to three-day immersive session.
What the program includes
Head-coach interview simulation: Mock searches, campus presentations and press interactions.
Leadership and communication labs: Personalized feedback to refine your message and “why”.
Network access: Engagement with sitting and former head coaches, athletics directors, presidents, conference executives and search firms.
Career toolkit: Individualized development plan and resources for the transition to head coach.
Coaches interested in participating in the Champions Forum should reach out to their campus sport administrator, who will work with their conference office to submit their nomination
Eligibility
- Current Division I assistant or associate head coach in football, men’s basketball or women’s basketball
- Demonstrated ability to lead from a “30,000-foot view” of college athletics and the CEO responsibilities of a head coach
- Clear, well-articulated coaching philosophy and program vision
- Proven or emerging management experience
- Direct involvement in game planning and/or play-calling
- Highly effective recruiter
- Accelerated professional trajectory with strong potential to be a head coach
- Commitment to continuous professional growth
Note: Selection is highly competitive and cohort-based; there is no deferral to a future year.