Annotation

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework and managerial implications of restructuring higher physical education in the Russian Federation. It is established that the transfer of the enlarged group of specialties and training areas «Physical Culture and Sports» into a new UGSP 11 within the field «Education and Pedagogical Sciences» (effective 01.09.2026), conducted within the pilot project without participation of sectoral sports universities under the Ministry of Sports of the RF, creates systemic risks for the quality of coaches' training. A pedagogical concept for managing the multilevel physical education system has been developed on the basis of a competence-based digital approach, comprising a three-block structural model and a system of verifiable quality indicators. The necessity of including specialized physical education universities in the pilot project is substantiated, along with the creation of a «Physical Culture and Sports» subcluster with specific requirements for educational programme content, faculty qualifications, and infrastructure. Concrete measures for improving the regulatory framework of the transition period are proposed.