The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become top coaches and reward the teams that developed them.
More interviews did not mean more hires in this off-season.
According to an analysis of candidates who were interviewed for seven positions as head coach this month, 11 were minorities and 16 were white. Only two of the seven jobs were for minorities.
Some see it as progress, but most agree that there is a long way to go.
“There is still work to be done in this area, there is no doubt about it,” said Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II on Thursday.
The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old assistant the third black coach hired by the league. The New York Jets previously hired Robert Saleh, the son of Lebanese immigrants and the first NFL coach known to be a Muslim.
Culley and Saleh join Mike Tomlin of Pittsburgh, Brian Flores of Miami and Ron Rivera of Washington as the only major minority coaches in the league. In a sport where about 70% of players are minorities, the lack of diversity among the ranks of chief coaches stands out.
Rooney said the league will re-examine the rule after his father, Dan Rooney, who was chairman of the NFL’s diversity committee.
“We haven’t made as much progress as a head coach as we would like,” said Rooney. “But I would say that we have made some progress on the side of the general manager, which is encouraging. And then we’ll have to look at the coordinator’s side to see how much progress we’ve made on that front.
“There are a series of pieces that we will have to sit down when everything is said and done and really analyze what happened, and there are things we can do to strengthen the opportunities for minority coaches. I think last year we took a series of measures that I think over time they will pay dividends, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do more, and we’re going to take a fresh look at it this off season. “
Two of the seven general manager vacancies were filled by minorities when the Atlanta Falcons hired Terry Fontenot and the Detroit Lions drowned out Brad Holmes. They join Andrew Berry of Cleveland and Chris Grier of Miami as the only black GMs in the league.
Perhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches. Ultimately, it is the owners who make the decision and 31 of the 32 are white. They need to be convinced.
“I got this job simply because I was the best football coach they wanted in this situation and I happen to be an African American,” Culley said on Friday. “I am proud of it. I am happy for it. And I hope that if I get this job for that reason, I will let other teams in this league see it … so be it. I am part of this and I am for it.”
In November, the NFL implemented a resolution that rewards organizations with recruitment choices for the development of minority coaches and front-office executives who become coaches, general managers or team presidents for other clubs.
This was part of a seven-point mobility plan designed to increase opportunities.
Last May, the NFL amended Rooney’s Rule to stipulate that teams must interview at least two minority candidates not associated with their own team for a lead position. In addition, a minority candidate should be interviewed for positions of coordinator, as well as for senior positions on the front line, including the role of general manager.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had six interviews, but was passed over again. Coach Andy Reid, defender Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs expressed disappointment that Bieniemy didn’t have a chance.
“It is very shocking that he did not get a job,” said wide receiver Tyreek Hill. “I know that deep down he will look in the mirror and say, ‘What can I do better to get this job?’ He’s that kind of guy. He wants to improve and become a head coach. Your time will come. “
The list of black candidates interviewed for the chief coaching positions included five guys who have held the position: Marvin Lewis, Jim Caldwell, Todd Bowles, Leslie Frazier and Raheem Morris.
The Eagles interviewed their assistant coach / running back trainer, Duce Staley, who left for Detroit after Nick Sirianni was hired to replace Doug Pederson. They also interviewed Patriots within linebacker Jerod Mayo, Bowles and Saleh out of a total of 10 candidates.
“I was impressed by the quality of these candidates,” said Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie. “The NFL is without vacancies, not with candidates … They will be the best candidates in one, two or three years, without a doubt. That’s what we learned in the process.”
The Jets interviewed then-Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn. He later joined Dan Campbell’s team in Detroit.
Many players and their union leader expressed concern about the lack of diversity in the ranks of coaches.
“A rule or any modification to a rule that has very little transparency and very little accountability, none of us should be surprised when it fails, right?” Executive Director of the NFL Players Association, DeMaurice Smith, said this month. “So, I think for the league’s credit, they asked the NFLPA and us to help them improve diversity across the NFL, not just from coaches or head coaches, but from the entire team of coaches, from the offices of the the NFL team, the league office and, finally, the property. These are conversations that I know we will start having with the league after the Super Bowl.
“But for me, it has to start with these two things. Without a level of transparency and accountability, none of us should be surprised when there are only gradual stages of change or moments when we go backwards. There are concrete ways to address this. Many of them reflect what people have been doing in corporate America for years. But increasing transparency, giving someone the responsibility to increase diversity and making them accountable, I think if you have these three things as the core of how you want the league looks like its members and its community, I think those are the only ways to do that. “