why are these questions important to ask in an interview. If hired for this position, what would the core values of your program be? This question prompts the interviewee to discuss elements of a character-based program. Here, they may mention something about being competitive or winning; however, they would ideally hit on components we have discussed as being critical elements of a character-based program. Tell us about your background in this sport. Here, the interviewee would elaborate on their competency. This could include playing or coaching experience in the sport which they are interviewing to coach. How will you ensure that your athletes know that you value them as a person before you value them as an athlete. This question gives the interviewee the opportunity to share how they will care for their student-athletes. If they are unsure of their answer or do not have a good strategy for this, it may not mean they do not care. However, it does show that they may not be the greatest at showing it. What strategies would you use if a player on your team appeared to be lacking confidence. Clearly, this fits into the "confidence" category. If the coach were to have an answer along the lines of, "well that is their problem, and they need to get their head out of their rear and figure it out" ...that may not be the best approach