Korn Ferry: Playbook for success

Taking the reins as a general manager or coach of a professional or Power Five intercollegiate sports organization is a dream job that can quickly become a nightmare. Few other professions operate under such a glaring spotlight as new general managers and coaches do, and the line between success and failure is often a key base hit, an overtime goal, a freak injury to a star player, or a miracle catch on the goal line. Franchises with sagging fortunes want quick results and, in this era of social media, fantasy sports, and billions of dollars in revenues at stake, expectations grow higher each year.

According to a new report from Korn Ferry Hay Group of the top 25 general managers in sports, as chosen by Forbes magazine in 2007, only five remain in their jobs in 2016. In recent years the average turnover rate among Football Bowl Subdivision coaches was nearly 25%.

Korn Ferry asked a group of general managers and coaches to share their insights about the challenging and all-important first year in a job. They determined among the most difficult challenges are: developing a new culture, assessing current and future talent, establishing communication and trust, building a high-level staff, and creating stakeholder alignment. 

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