Hair coat traits are used as indicators of animal adaptation because of their importance for thermoregulation and parasites resistance. These traits are evaluated visually based on a score in some beef cattle breeding programs. Data from 38,800 Angus animals were used to compare linear and threshold animal models in order to validate genetic parameters for visual scores of hair coat at weaning (WHC) and yearling (YHC), and conformation (YC), precocity (YP) and muscling (YM) at yearling. The genetic trends for WHC and YHC and their relationships with YC, YP, YM, birth weight (BW), weight gain from birth to weaning (BWG) and from weaning to yearling (YWG), scrotal circumference (SC), and gestation length (GL) were also obtained. For WHC and YHC, higher heritabilities were estimated with the threshold models (0.249±0.039 and 0.295±0.041, respectively) compared to the linear models (0.188±0.029 and 0.218±0.032, respectively). However, similar heritabilities were obtained with the two models for YC, YP and YM. Rank correlations between sire breeding values predicted for WHC and YHC using linear and threshold models ranged from 0.75 to 0.95, considering the top 2 to 50% of the selected sires. For YC, YP and YM, small changes in sire ranking are expected when these models are used (rank correlations higher than 0.86), regardless of the proportion of selected sires. Cross-validation strategies by regression showed that genetic selection for all visual scores will also promote improvements in phenotypic performance. Genetic trends were significant (P<0.05) and favorable for WHC and YHC. The genetic correlation between WHC and YHC was high and positive (0.848±0.055). Favorable and moderate genetic associations were estimated for WHC and YHC with YC, YP, YM, BWG and WYG, ranging from -0.329±0.108 to -0.589±0.07. The genetic correlations of WHC and YHC with BW, SC and GL were weaker and negative. According to our results, the threshold model is recommended for genetic evaluation of WHC and YHC in this population, and both models are indicated for YC, YP and YM. In general, genetic selection to increase growth, YC, YP, YM and SC will simultaneously reduce WHC and YHC, favoring animals that are more adapted to the environmental conditions of the tropics.