American football in Mexico: factors influencing success of teams within the National College Football Organization, Organizacion Nacional Estudiantil de Futbol Americano (ONEFA)

This study investigates the factors or determinants that influence success of teams within the Big 12 Conference of the National College Football Organization in Mexico. The findings of such a study were perceived to be useful to other football teams in Mexico, enabling them to implement the strategies and practices of the teams considered the most successful. The participants in this study included head coaches and players of teams within the Big 12 Conference in Mexico. Two questionnaires containing open-ended questions were addressed to coaches and players in telephone interviews. The data acquired was first transcribed in its original language [Spanish], and then translated to English. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the data. The results indicated that several factors- themes, emerged from the interviews, and they were organized into the input-throughput-output model of organizational effectiveness (Chelladurai, 2005). The participants considered these factors to be influential for the success of football teams within the Big 12 Conference. Human resources represented the most determinant factor in the input model. The throughput model showed the procedures or strategies implemented by the teams to guarantee the attainment of goals. Finally, in the output model, winning the championship represented the most important goal for coaches and players; however, only the head coaches mentioned other goals, such as having successful programs, having their players graduate, and so forth, as important in their football programs. The results identified the factors perceived to influence success of football teams within the Big 12 Conference in Mexico. These findings will be useful to coaches and players of other football teams in Mexico and enable them to implement the strategies and procedures perceived to lead teams to success.