Degree Name
EdD (Doctor of Education)
Program
Educational Leadership
Date of Award
5-2013
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Catherine Glascock
Committee Members
Bethany Flora, Don Good, Gary Lhotsky
Abstract
Many things are known about Coach Bob Johnson including his military background and dynamic coaching career, but there are still many more facts that are unknown. By most accounts he was a dynamic leader who was able to motivate, influence, and lead over the course of his 27- year career coaching and teaching at Emory and Henry College. The success of his career is visible through the success of his players and teams, the number of wins, and the many accomplishments, awards, and recognitions he received.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe Coach Johnson’s life by examining his life as a coach, teacher, administrator, and individual to help demonstrate his leadership and examine events that led to his impact and influence at Emory and Henry College. This study was based on 5 research questions:
1. What was his leadership style?
2. What type of person was he?
3. What type of coach was he?
4. What are the interviewees’ perceptions of how he influenced their lives?
5. What are the interviewees’ perceptions of his life and work?
Findings from these questions helped provide answers that demonstrated the leadership and influence of Coach Johnson. The findings were consistent with Leithwood, Riehl, and the National College for School Leadership’s (2003) 3 core leadership practices for successful leadership in educational settings, which are setting directions, developing people, and developing the organization. The findings also fit into the Leadership Challenge Model (Kouzes & Posner, 1997), which consists of challenging the process, inspiring a shared vision, enabling others to act, modeling the way, and encouraging the heart.
As there is no published research on Coach Johnson, this study is significant. The data were gathered by conducting semistructured interviews with those who knew Coach Johnson well. The results provide insight on leadership and how one can influence others.
Document Type
Dissertation - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Cantone, Daniel, "Bob Johnson: Coach, Leader, Role Model, Community Servant" (2013). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1155. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1155
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.