Lack of Black coaches ‘mind-boggling’
Diversity group angry that more minority candidates haven’t been hired this cycle
The diversity group that works with the NFL on its minority hiring practices Tuesday expressed disappointment with the results so far of this leaguewide hiring cycle for teams’ head coaches and general managers.
With no Black head coaches having been hired to this point, the leader of the Fritz Pollard Alliance said the “disparity in opportunities is mind-boggling.”
The results have come even after the NFL took steps to attempt to improve its minority hiring during this cycle.
“Thus far, the NFL hiring cycle of 2021 has not changed the rate of hires for Blacks as Head Coaches and primary football executives,” said Rod Graves, the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s executive director.
Only one new minority head coach has been hired this offseason, Robert Saleh by the New York Jets. He is Arab American, having been born in Michigan to Lebanese parents. That’s after only one minority head coach was hired last offseason, Ron Rivera by the Washington Football Team. No Black head coaches were hired last offseason and none has been hired this offseason. The NFL currently has two Black head coaches, Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin and Miami’s Brian Flores, and four minority head coaches, with Saleh and Rivera.
The league has doubled its number of minority general managers this offseason from two to four. The Detroit Lions hired Los Angeles Rams executive Brad Holmes last week and the Atlanta Falcons announced the hiring Tuesday of New Orleans Saints executive Terry Fontenot. Before this hiring cycle, the only two minority GMs had been Miami’s Chris Grier and Cleveland’s Andrew Berry.
“There are many outstanding Black men and other men and women of color in the NFL,” Graves said. “The pipeline is as strong as it has ever been. The issue is not in the sufficiency of numbers; the problem is in the limited number of leadership opportunities given. The disparity in opportunities is mind-boggling.
“It is unfortunate that the performances of coordinators like Eric Bieniemy, Todd Bowles, Byron Leftwich, Leslie [Frazier], and Joe Woods, may not meet what appears as ‘ever-evolving standards’ for becoming a Black Head Coach in the NFL. The prospect for second chances is proving to be even more elusive. The same applies to executives like Jerry Reese, Rick Smith, Reggie McKenzie, and others. All capable of providing the vision, leadership, and expertise to lead a championship effort.”
The Texans on Monday interviewed Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, for their head coaching vacancy after receiving special permission from the Chiefs and the NFL. The Texans also have interviewed Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Indianapolis defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Baltimore offensive assistant David Culley, former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis and Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
The Texans, Lions and Philadelphia Eagles are the only remaining NFL teams with head coaching vacancies. The Lions reportedly are set to hire Saints tight ends coach Dan Campbell. The Saints’ season ended Sunday with their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC divisional round playoff game, making Campbell eligible to be hired.
To the dismay of many in and around the sport, Bieniemy, who is Black, has failed to land an NFL head coaching job despite the Chiefs’ success. They are the defending Super Bowl champions and are about to host the AFC championship game for the third straight season.
The Texans’ interview with Bieniemy came with them dealing with the disenchantment of quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is said to be displeased that the team promised that he’d have input on the franchise’s retooling of its leadership this offseason and then failed to follow through. The Texans hired New England Patriots executive Nick Caserio as their general manager after firing Bill O’Brien during the season as head coach and GM.
The head coaches hired leaguewide this offseason are Urban Meyer by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saleh by the Jets, Arthur Smith by the Falcons and Brandon Staley by the Los Angeles Chargers.