An indifferent, strained, or hostile relationship with the AD can create a no-win situation. In the past, AD's were former coaches you could count on to understand your everyday challenges. Even if your AD was formerly a coach, he or she now faces a whole new range of challenges and responsibilities such as finances, personnel, public relations, media relations, and compliance. All of this means that they have a totally different outlook, and may not understand sports as well as they did in the past. In their eyes, a winning record is no longer enough to provide you with tenure, or even a one-year contract extension.
Many coaches have perfectly amiable relationships with their AD's.
They think that there's no need to worry, because the AD sees the team in the same light that the coach does. You can have a tremendous influence over the way the AD views your team. Use this to better shape your answers. How to Approach Your AD Be positive. A complainer is someone most people avoid, so don't be one.