On Monday, the National Football League announced a new rule that would require all 32 teams to hire an offensive coach either female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority for this year’s season.
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II, chairman of the NFL Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee said,
“It’s a recognition that at the moment when you look at stepping stones for a head coach, they are the coordinator positions.”
“We clearly have a trend where coaches are coming from the offensive side of the ball in recent years, and we clearly do not have as many minorities in the offensive coordinator [job].”
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According to the NFL diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, under the new policy, the coaching hires must work closely with their teams’ head coaches and offensive staff, they added that the goal of the mandate is to increase minority participation within coaching staffs and produce future head-coaching candidates.
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach also expressed his doubt that the new measures would have an impact, he said earlier today:
“I haven’t been in any discussions, and, no, I don’t have a level of confidence that would lead me to believe that things are going to be better.”
“I’m more of a show-me guy as opposed to a guy that sits around and talks about things.”
The NFL Diversity Advisory Committee creation was also announced by the NFL on Monday.
According to the NFL in a press release:
“Today, the National Football League (NFL) announced the creation of the NFL Diversity Advisory Committee, following its pledge last month to retain outside experts to review the league’s diversity policies and practices,”
“The six-member committee will lend its expert, external perspective on industry best practices and will evaluate league and club diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies and initiatives, including all hiring processes, policies and procedures, with a primary focus on senior-level coach and front office personnel positions.”
Before the announcements made by the league this month, former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores has sued NFL last February including several teams naming Denver Broncos, the New York Giants, and the Dolphins, for racial discrimination during the hiring process.
When asked about the lawsuit, Flores answered, “Because we need change.”
“That was the number one reason. And I know there is a sacrifice, there’s risk to that. But, at the end of the day, we need change. I know many very capable black coaches, some on my staff, who if given an opportunity, are going to go and do a great job on their interview.”
“We need to change the hearts and minds of the people making those decisions. That’s why we filed the lawsuit.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has promised to evaluate the league’s hiring process after the lawsuit was filed by Flores.
Goodell said:
“We’re not having the success we want with head coaches. How do we evolve that rule, or do we have to have a new rule? Do we need to find some other way of being able to achieve that outcome? I think we’re not going to rest until we find that until we get those outcomes that are mandatory for us to move forward and have an inclusive league.”
Source: Daily Mail