"Any time I start a new position, I like to get my hands dirty and work beside my coaches. I like to guide the weight lifting and body fitness class. It is mostly hands-off and gives me a chance to connect with our athletes and get an inside perspective on what is happening on the ground. This allows me to earn the trust of those on my team and address any concerns which might arise with my coaches."

"It depends on the philosophy of the school, the budgetary constraints, and what I have on my plate. If I have the resources and a solid team of coaches, I'll rely on them to be my eyes and ears. But I am adaptable. If our budget is tight, and I need to step in and instruct some classes, I will use that to connect with our students to get an inside view. There's value to be had in both approaches. But if I had my way, I would prefer to have an aerial view of the big picture and focus on bigger goals."

Before your interview, thoroughly research the budgetary constraints of the institution you are interviewing for and its budgetary outlook. Depending on the institution, they may have differing philosophies on the role an athletic director should play.

If taking part in some coaching, getting your hands dirty, and being an ear to your athletes' concerns and feelings is part of your philosophy, be sure to share that. If you find this useful in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the program you are coming into, don't hold that back. However, if you find speaking directly with faculty and your coaches and examining the systems in place more useful, share that as well. Whatever your approach, try to align it as well as you can with what this institution has to work with while displaying your adaptability as a team player.