News Article

Black Coaches in the National Football League; Sports Desk

J.A. Adande

Published: October 05, 2002

 

BYLINE: J.A. Adande
Los Angeles Times
October 5, 2002 Saturday Home Edition

The latest push for the NFL to increase minority hiring among its coaches shouldn't have to come from Johnnie Cochran. It really should come from the fans, fans who long ago grew tired of seeing the same old names…called on to coach their teams.

…Litigation is the proposed action if the NFL doesn't change its sleepy hiring practices…but would that change anything? Not really.

But start talking draft picks and things change. Now you're dealing in the NFL's currency.

…So if some team has its heart set on hiring a white coach without checking all the alternatives that they're willing to part with a No. 1 pick, step right to it. That way they wouldn't have to answer to civil-rights attorneys, they'd have their judgment questioned and be held accountable by the people in the seats. If the fans don't like the team's direction, they can stop buying tickets.

But the report makes you wonder why NFL owners aren't more active in finding the next Tony Dungy or Herman Edwards without any inducement or penalties.

…The record shows that when teams hire minorities, it benefits the team, not some quota. Baltimore's Ozzie Newsome is the only black general manager, and the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2001.

It's sad that guys such as current Washington Redskin defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis--the architect of Baltimore's championship defense--can't get a shot at a head coaching job.

If he gets an opportunity, I like his chances…

...

This entire article is available by contacting us.