NBA Assistant Coaches’ Perceptions of Family as a Source of Stress and Coping in Elite Professional Coaching

Elite coaches operate within high-pressure environments where job demands often conflict with personal and family responsibilities. Using the Work–Home Resources model, we examined 20 NBA male assistant coaches’ perceptions of family as a source of stress and coping mechanism within the work-home context of elite professional coaching. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were constructed: (a) Competing Role Demands and the Erosion of Presence, (b) Family as a Source of Strain Through Structural and Relational Pressures, and (c) Family as a Stabilizing Resource in an Unstable Occupational Context. Participants reported emotional and logistical challenges linked to travel, unpredictable schedules, and job insecurity. While parenting and financial responsibilities intensified stress, spouses and children were also identified as sources of emotional grounding. Findings highlight the complexity of family in elite coaching and the need for organizational policies to support coach well-being.