Summit plots path to diverse hirings
Doug Williams didn’t mince words Monday morning.
The first African-American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, Williams wants to see increased diversity in NFL coaching staffs and personnel departments and more opportunities for exposure for lesser known job candidates.
A veteran Washington executive and former head coach at Grambling, Williams is hoping the expanded Rooney Rule leads to an uptick in minority hires throughout the league. During the third annual Quarterback Coaching Summit, a partnership between the NFL and the Black College Hall of Fame, Williams emphasized that there are plenty of qualified minorities.
“The pipeline is full,” Williams said Monday during the two-day summit, conducted as a webinar due to the coronavirus pandemic after being held last year at Morehouse College in Atlanta. “The most important
thing is to open up the valve.”
The summit, led by NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent and Williams, is intended to provide a platform for increased conversation about how to improve the hiring process and create more networking opportunities for minorities.
Currently, the NFL has four head coaches of color among its 32 franchises — Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers), Anthony Lynn (Los Angeles Chargers), Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins) and Ron Rivera (Washington) — and one general manager (Chris Grier, Dolphins).
By increasing minority interaction with NFL decision-makers, including owners, the league is hoping to improve its track record on diversity hiring. The expansion of the Rooney Rule, which now requires two interviews of minorities for every head coaching and coordinator position and at least one external minority candidate for general manager or senior football operations jobs, is regarded as a step in the right direction.
NFL teams and the league office are now required to include minorities and/or female applicants in interviews for senior level front office positions, including team president, communications, finance, human resources, legal, football operations, sales, marketing, sponsorship, information technology and security positions.
“We knew we needed to change,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said during the Zoom call. “We recognize there’s no silver bullet here. We are not done.
“We’re going to continue to look at what we need to be doing to get the results we want. We’re not afraid of improvement. We’re committed to it.”
The webinar included a panel discussion with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, former Baltimore Ravens general manager and current executive vice president Ozzie Newsome, New York Giants owner John Mara, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II and Texans limited partner Javier Loya, a member of the NFL’s workplace diversity committee.
Buffalo Bills owner Kim Pegula is scheduled to do a mock interview with Chargers quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to illustrate what teams are looking for during the hiring process.
“My job is to create head coaches and push them out, and thank God I’ve got an owner that’s allowing me to have such a big staff,” Arians said. “Identifying young talent is really important. It’s that pipeline.
“You have to grind it out and make a name for yourself. When you get that opportunity, you can’t fumble. You can’t stumble.”
There were multiple coaching sessions, including one on assembling a staff conducted by Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, a former Texans defensive coordinator, and others led by Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and former NFL head coach and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.
“Diversity is critically important,” Vrabel said. “It is so critical that we are able to reach our players. At the end of the day, it’s all about the players. You can’t worry about hiring your friends. It’s about hiring the best person for the job.
“You have to teach, develop and inspire your players to do their job. What it comes down to with me and the quality I’m looking for on my staff, loyalty is the most critical factor, people that are going to stay true to you.”
Highly regarded Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is scheduled to discuss leadership and building a winning culture on Tuesday. Former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell is part of a session on how to interview for a quarterback coaching position.
A former Columbia defensive end and outside linebacker, Loya is the chairman and CEO of OTC Global Holdings and a past Hispanic Businessman of the Year and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Loya has been a minority owner with the Texans since 2002. During that time, he has seen improvements in the process.
“You want a wide pool to get the best candidates,” Loya said. “You’re looking for passion, acumen and experience. You want a diverse group of employees. Your decision-making, your perspective, all of that widens your pool. It is a philosophy for us with the Texans.
“We’re looking for the best candidate. We have parameters. We think it’s best practices to have a wide pool and have minorities involved. It is important to have different perspectives. Why are minorities not becoming head coaches? I think it’s just a matter of time. I think next year we’re going to see those changes.”
Rooney said he is also puzzled why there haven’t been more minorities hired in recent years.
“Why do so few minorities get opportunities in recent years? It’s hard to explain,” Rooney said. “Hopefully, we’ve set in place some parameters and interview opportunities that will help that change. I think this thing is going to change and turn around in the next few years.
“I don’t think you can network your way into a head coaching job in the league. It comes down to doing a great job. People notice success in this league.”
“We’re going to continue to look at what we need to be doing to get the results we want. We’re not afraid of improvement. We’re committed to it.”
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, on the league’s push for more diversity in hiring