New Athletic Directors

Built for New ADs

A dedicated program to help new Athletic Directors navigate the challenges of their role and lead with confidence from day one.

The New AD Challenge

Becoming an Athletic Director is one of the most rewarding — and demanding — transitions in sports leadership. You're no longer just managing a team; you're managing coaches, budgets, facilities, parents, administrators, and the culture of an entire athletic department. ETA356's New AD Program is designed to help you hit the ground running.

Sound Familiar?

Common Challenges New ADs Face

Managing and developing a coaching staff

Building a department-wide culture of excellence

Navigating relationships with administrators and parents

Handling budgets, facilities, and logistics

Supporting student-athlete wellbeing and development

Communicating your vision to all stakeholders

The New AD Program

What We Cover

Leadership Foundations

Establish your leadership identity and define the culture you want to build across your entire athletic department.

Coaching Staff Development

Learn how to hire, develop, evaluate, and support the coaches in your department — and build a unified coaching culture.

Stakeholder Communication

Master the art of communicating with athletes, parents, administrators, and the community in ways that build trust and buy-in.

Operations & Administration

Get practical guidance on the day-to-day operational challenges of running an athletic department effectively.