This capstone is founded on the need for coaching education programs and support for athletic coaches at the NCAA Division I level. Currently, fewer than 15% of athletics directors possess the experience and perspective as a former coach (Wong 2015). The majority of administrators enters the profession with a background in business or other administrative experience, which has proven detrimental to first-time head coaches. Administrators' inability to offer relatable coaching experiences makes it difficult for them to provided adequate mentorship and guidance to sport leaders. Considering the current climate of higher education and the ever-increasing strain on institutional resources, the creation and funding of a new administrative position may not be feasible at many athletic departments. As a result, a more impactful approach would be to design a program that can be implemented to aid all coaches with their day-to-day challenges. The purpose of this capstone is to provide NCAA Division I athletic departments a coaching education program for head coaches. Issues of self-assessment, leadership styles, ethical decision making, communication, management of staff, professionalism, work-life balance, building networks, managing stress, and developing coaching philosophies are essential for all coaches. At a time when job security and promotion are directly connected to winning records, attention to purpose and process is critical. This capstone tackles the need for coaching education using a vehicle that can navigate coaches' time demands for competitive Division I athletics. The Coaching Development Academy is designed to be delivered through bi-monthly modules over an academic year. This format can offer an institution's head coaches an engaging environment helping to build a network of resources and support. Modules for ethical decision making and leadership styles were devised as examples of what the comprehensive curriculum would look like. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]