Responsibilities of HS AD?

[strongx]

I’ve been fairly critical of high school athletic directors. If I remember correctly, these positions were created in the late 80’s and 90s in most areas. It seemed like they quickly turned into positions that the best coach could take to justify paying him more. Now it seems many ADs don’t even coach. I’m told some ADs now have dual roles and have asst principal duties-whatever those are. Middle schools now have ADs, not to mention some ADs have asst ADs!!
 

My question is about the actual role of the AD. Are they supposed to fundraise? For example, how do they help the golf team, tennis team, football team, etc? It seems like most of the teams nowadays have three or four coaches, a team parent, and an individual fundraiser or three. Yes, I realize not all teams have three or four coaches such as the golf team, but some teams have many more. With all the coaches and asst coaches today, what does the AD do?

PS: If anybody knows of an empty AD position, please share.

Edited March 28 by strongx

[tubthumper]

ADs nowadays are an extension of the front office administration. Honestly its basically an HR type role. Most ADs don't coach. There are really two types of ADs: ones who do nothing and are invisible and ones who overly inject themselves into the sports programs to the detriment of those programs and micromanage. Coaches prefer the invisible do nothing ADs. There are a few good ones, and you could guess who they are based on if the school has success in all sports Oak Ridge, Maryville, Greeneville, Alcoa come to mind.

[PaPaLegba]

Responsibilities vary. Most schools in our state your AD is a paper pusher. He or she shows up to games to make sure officials get paid and the dressing room is unlocked for away teams. Pay a couple thousand.

Places that care about kids and sports, the AD is the head administrator of all sports, but honestly it is not like that in most public schools. Most schools the AD does not even make personnel decisions. Compliance, Gameday administrating, making sure you have ticket takers and other workers.

Our schools all across the state are filled with teachers and admin who leave as soon as the dismissal bell ends. Teachers who do not coach, sponsor clubs, or even show up to support kids at school plays, games, etc.  Same with a lot of AD's. It is not hard to identify which schools have good AD's and which ones do not.

[HTV]

Depends on the system and if they are a full time AD, or if they are an assistant principal or teacher with other responsibilities,  too. 

[strongx]

Interesting. Trying to exclude the teacher and/or administrator responsibilities, it sounds like an AD will check compliance (?), make sure there are workers for the games (just the gate not concessions), and either butt their nose into areas they shouldn’t or don’t help at all. Some may have a human resource appearance. 
 

Are they needed? Or just extra? Are the assistant ADs also needed? Is it crazy to think that fundraising should be a part of their responsibility? Are they too busy?

 

[coachspanky]

Many schools have an assistant AD due to the volume of events at one time. One person can't be at everything going on, such as track meet, baseball and softball. They have lots of organizational and compliance responsibilities. From what I understand the Head coaches are responsible for most of the fundraising. You'd make a great AD, StrongX!

[strongx]

On 3/28/2025 at 7:09 PM, coachspanky said:

Many schools have an assistant AD due to the volume of events at one time. One person can't be at everything going on, such as track meet, baseball and softball. They have lots of organizational and compliance responsibilities. From what I understand the Head coaches are responsible for most of the fundraising. You'd make a great AD, StrongX!

Thx Spank. I’ve spent most of my life trying to be in 2-3 places at once, so it might be a good fit!

With the HS NIL race opening up, having an AD that can raise $$$ would be a big plus for those families getting paid and those families having to push the raffle tix. I don’t check that box!

Edited March 30 by strongx

[BarneySox2007]

[SheriffofRedRock]

On 3/28/2025 at 8:30 AM, tubthumper said:

ADs nowadays are an extension of the front office administration. Honestly its basically an HR type role. Most ADs don't coach. There are really two types of ADs: ones who do nothing and are invisible and ones who overly inject themselves into the sports programs to the detriment of those programs and micromanage. Coaches prefer the invisible do nothing ADs. There are a few good ones, and you could guess who they are based on if the school has success in all sports Oak Ridge, Maryville, Greeneville, Alcoa come to mind.

One of those schools is not like that other. 3 of those schools win championships across multiple sports. The other doesnt

[tubthumper]

24 minutes ago, SheriffofRedRock said:

One of those schools is not like that other. 3 of those schools win championships across multiple sports. The other doesnt

Wasn't really referring to championship caliber, just overall respectable sports programs.

[SheriffofRedRock]

1 hour ago, tubthumper said:

Wasn't really referring to championship caliber, just overall respectable sports programs.

Can’t speak on all AD’s from those schools but I know one can’t do anything. Constantly having his secretary do his job for him 

[BelieveITorNot]

19 hours ago, BarneySox2007 said:

🤣🤣🤣🤣