Coaches play a unique and important role in efforts to prioritize athlete safety and well-being. In 2025, the U.S. Center for SafeSport partnered with an external research consultant to design and administer our first-ever survey specifically geared toward coaches, assistant coaches, and instructors. The National Coaches Survey: Building Safer Sport Together asked coaches to share their input on abuse and misconduct in sport as well as satisfaction, burnout, behaviors, and norms.

The survey welcomed responses from individuals 18 years of age or older who have coached any sport at any level in the United States within the past five years, including sports within and beyond the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. The findings highlight the dedication and passion coaches bring to their roles, while also underscoring the significant challenges that many face including exposure to harmful behaviors, barriers to policy implementation, and uneven support for safety and well-being across sport environments. The following survey results serve as a guiding resource in our ongoing efforts to meet the needs of athletes, coaches, and the entire sport community.