NFL Coaching Diversity Numbers Create Optimism And Concern

by Daniel Johnson

November 5, 2023

Twenty years after the NFL carried out the Rooney Rule, the league nonetheless solely has 6 minority head coaches employed.

USA Right this moment launched its second annual report of range within the NFL head teaching ranks, and it’s marked by stagnant progress as in comparison with final yr’s report. Almost 20 years after the league carried out the Rooney Rule, a rule that originally mandated {that a} group conduct an interview with a minority head coach candidate earlier than making a hiring resolution, the NFL nonetheless solely has six minority head coaches. That rule has since been expanded to coordinator roles and now requires two minority head coach interviews earlier than a hiring resolution is made.

Forward of the report’s launch, in October, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned the subject of the league’s range in a press convention, saying, “How will we proceed to have range be part of our league and make us higher? There’s important progress. However … I’m in all probability at all times annoyed by the tempo of the progress. It’s by no means sufficient for yours really. We clearly know we now have work to do right here.”

In a league the place the participant base sits at roughly 75% Black or males of coloration, the disproportionate variety of Black head coaches, coordinators or different positions with the potential for development is regarding. Nonetheless, Rod Graves, the top of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a bunch that champions range within the NFL, sees some purpose for an optimistic perspective. 

Graves advised USA Right this moment, “You’ll be able to level to areas, significantly I might say within the final 5 to 10 years, the place the league is taking steps to make sure that the processes are enhancing.”

Graves added, “I credit score Roger Goodell. I credit score the range committee and the house owners, fairly frankly, for recognizing that these are essential areas for the league by way of its dedication to equal alternatives. However as a billion-dollar enterprise, I’m at all times of the opinion we needs to be doing extra and we needs to be a lot additional forward.”

Defensive Coordinator could be a pipeline place to go coach, a place that’s occupied primarily by Black or males of coloration, however on the opposite facet of the ball, all however 4 coordinator positions are held by white males. Because it pertains to the top teaching prospects of Black coaches, this sometimes signifies that except a group prioritizes a defensive-minded coach, these Black coaches is not going to go any farther than Defensive Coordinator. That is significantly true because the league developments extra in the direction of youthful offensive-minded coaches. 

“That is what we’re making an attempt to handle,” Troy Vincent, a former NFL cornerback and present NFL govt vp of soccer operations, advised USA Right this moment. “The event of younger coaches to grow to be quarterback coaches, offensive high quality management, hopefully, an offensive coordinator, then doubtlessly someday be thought of a head coach.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers, whose group spearheaded the league’s adoption of the Rooney Rule, but once more leads the league by way of a various teaching employees. The Steelers get pleasure from a ten% cushion on the following most various employees, the Seattle Seahawks. 

In one other evaluation of range within the league, USA Right this moment notes that the variety of girls within the NFL with a clearly outlined on-field function has not seen a rise in almost a decade. 2015 was the final season the place girls had an impression on subject, however following that season, with a number of exceptions, their impression has largely been felt as energy and conditioning coaches. Jennifer King, who turned the primary Black lady to grow to be a full-time coach within the NFL in 2021 when the Washington Commanders made her an assistant operating backs coach, advised USA Right this moment that she sees the strides girls have made as coaches. King mentioned that the door now has a bit of crack in it, earlier than remarking, “That’s the cool factor in regards to the new technology, is that they’re all so younger.” King needed to wait till she was 37 to get a shot as an on-field coach. 

Within the proprietor’s assembly for 2022 some white head coaches known as on house owners to make some tangible modifications. Frank Reich, who on the time was teaching the Indianapolis Colts, mentioned throughout the assembly, “It’s a tough situation. We’ve to be intentional. I feel we’re in some methods. I feel we’re all simply saying, we are able to do higher. Not solely can we do higher, however we have to see some outcomes. The NFL is a results-driven league. If that’s the case, we have to see some outcomes on this space as properly.”

Reich continued, “For all of the assets we now have, and for all the nice women and men which are on this league — and I actually consider that — one thing is lacking. As a result of we’re not seeing the outcomes we should always see in areas of management within the league. We have to see extra progress.”