The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between a coach's leadership style and the academic achievement of the student athletes in Tennessee high schools. This dissertation examines the relationship between the leadership styles of high school coaches and how it affects the grade point average and ACT scores of student-athletes in Tennessee high schools. The researcher sought to understand if there is a significant difference in student-athletes who play for a transformational leader versus student-athletes who play for a transactional leader. The data from this dissertation showed that transformational leadership was not more influential on student-athletes' team ACT scores, team GPA, or winning percentage when compared to transactional leadership. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]