NFL interview process to go virtual
The NFL is allowing only virtual interviews of candidates for a variety of football jobs, including coach and general manager, until both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Troy Vincent, who oversees the league's football operations, believes that will make for more opportunities for a diverse collection of candidates.
“I sent a memo to the clubs talking about the initial interviews being virtual,” Vincent said Monday, “and it allows each of us on the interviewing and education side to actually engage with more people.”
The move is another adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was first reported by NFL Network.
In a wide-ranging conference call on diversity and inclusion in the NFL, Vincent stressed the importance of adhering to the spirit of the Rooney Rule that was enacted in 2003 to enhance opportunities for minorities to be considered for coaching positions. The rule has since been expanded to other jobs, including general managers and executives at the team and league level.
“We have learned and seen that there are interviews that take place and there is no way they are going to be hired,” Vincent said of what some have called token interviews to fulfill requirements of the Rooney Rule. “That is not where we want to be. The spirit of the tool was to potentially identify someone you maynot be looking at, but it has to be legit, and I think that is where we got away. It starts with the people and the heart of the people.”
Baseball: The Angels acquired closer Raisel Iglesias from the Reds for RHP Noé
Ramirez and a player to be named or cash. Over the last four seasons, Iglesias, 30, totaled 100 saves in 114 opportunities.
College basketball: Gonzaga and Baylor remained atop the AP Top 25 poll after their hotly anticipated weekend game in Indianapolis was called off about 90 minutes before tipoff because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Bulldogs program. ... The ACC/Big Ten Challenge matchup between the Louisville and No. 13 Wisconsin scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Cardinals program, ESPN reported. The Badgers will replace the game, which may be rescheduled, with a home matchup against Rhode Island.
College football: The Mississippi-Texas A&M game scheduled for Saturday was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Rebels program. Rescheduling the game will be contingent on any cancellation of games currently scheduled for Dec. 19. Texas A&M, No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings, is scheduled to face Tennessee and Mississippi is scheduled to play LSU that Saturday.
Golf: The British Open will be played at Royal Liverpool in 2023 and at Royal Troon in 2024, the R&Aannounced. The major was scheduled to be held at Royal St George's this year before it was canceled due to the pandemic. It will take place at the same venue in 2021, then at St. Andrews in 2022.
NBA: ESPN reported that the league will allow flexibility in resting policies for the upcoming season in non-nationally televised games.