Just 24 of them have been Black. And since America loves to ignore blatant racism unless they can watch it on video or it can be quantified into numbers, Deadspin took a look at the plight of Black coaches in the NFL over the last 20-plus years. He went 2-6 in eight games. For so many reasons, DeMeco is everything we are looking for in a leader and coach for our organization, said Texans owner Cal McNair in a statement. Revisiting Dolphins scandal, Pollard became the first Black coach in NFL history when he was named co-coach of the Akron Pros in 1921. We should be able to have a system where the best person for the job gets hired, not the person you know the best. Owners and front office people who are in charge of hiring, they found loopholes in the rule. With all the controversy surrounding the NFL and its alleged efforts at diversifying head coaching around the professional football league, its worth putting things in their proper perspective for folks who may be shrugging and wondering what the big deal is. The thinking basically went there are lots of black men who played running back, so when they transition to coaching, that's the position they know, it's the easiest way to get into the business. Dungy was hired in Indianapolis after they went 6-10 before he arrived. He signed a 10-year, $95 million deal with the Spartans in November 2021. Specifically, Flores claims hes had multiple incidents of racial discrimination that involved several teams, as well as coaches and executives around the league. He was replaced by Vic Fangio who was fired on Sunday. One Black coach, 33 years after Art Shell broke the modern era head coaching color barrier with the Raiders. Our recent USA Today sports analysis found that in the last 20 years, about four white coaches were hired for every coach of color. Jackson claims the Browns incentivized losing while he was head coach in order to increase the teams odds in the NFL Draft. I'm James Brown, and as always, be well. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under then-head coach Brian Flores during the 2021 season. Caldwell took over for Dungy with ease as he posted a 14-2 record in his first season as the Colts made it all the way to Super Bowl XLIV where they were upset by Drew Brees and the Saints. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. The team relocated to Kansas City, Missouri and were renamed the Chiefs in 1963. Andrew Brandt agrees that the league has a long way to go and suggested similar programs to the one Whaley describes, but warned that the issue is complex and without easy answers. Image: Getty Images When Stephen. Who are the NFL's Black head coaches? A complete timeline of Black He can move to number one with success during the post-Ben Roethlisberger era. Crennel took the reins over in K.C. Green was 16-32 during his tenure and was replaced by Ken Whisenhunt. Joseph showed up in Denver after Gary Kubiak stepped down two years after the Broncos won a Super Bowl. Women being interested in this area of business or law, from my viewpoint, has really grown. After all, they may be musing, isnt the NFL disproportionately made up of Black players? The Chargers hired Lynn after Mike McCoy went 4-12 and 5-11 in his last two seasons. Frazier was the Vikings' coach from 2010-2013, leading Minnesota to its biggest single-season turnaround in franchise history (3-13 in 2011 to 10-6 in 2012). Over the next few days and weeks, multiple teams will be conducting interviews to fill their head coaching vacancies. A more diverse pipeline could help down the road. With all the controversy surrounding the NFL and its alleged efforts at diversifying head coaching around the professional football league, its worth putting things in their proper perspective for folks who may be shrugging and wondering what the big deal is. He coached the Raiders from 1989-1994, then returned to the team for one season in 2006. Either way, Flores. He retired after the 2008 season and was replaced by Jim Caldwell who was the teams coach-in-waiting, in a rare occurrence of a team having back-to-back Black coaches. The fact is that Flores claims are hardly unique and help bolster critics suspicions that the NFL is intentionally trying to keep its head coaching ranks as white as possible despite the leagues so-called Rooney Rule, a policy that requires teams to interview at least one diverse candidate when looking to hire new coaches. As of the time that this list was published, Morris was seen as a leading candidate for the Minnesota Vikings head coaching vacancy. His career record is 92-90. If you look at solutions instead of just focused on the problem, that's where I think we all should be focusing our energy. Singletary coached the 49ers from 2008-2010, totaling 18 wins and 22 losses in three seasons. You're going to be like, "All right, let me just check that box and go through this process, but I'm still going to do what I want to.". Interestingly enough, Caldwell was mentioned in Brian Flores lawsuit as an example of a Black NFL head coach who was fired in spite of the success he enjoyed. The league is being sued by Brian Flores, former Miami Dolphins head coach. Brian Flores, who used to be head coach of the Miami Dolphins, filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL claiming there is racial discrimination in the hiring process. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under then-head coach Brian Flores during the 2021 season. Studesville was the interim head coach of the Broncos in 2010, going 1-3 to finish out the season. 12. Contact The Promotions/Community Department, filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL claiming there is racial discrimination in the hiring process, the NFL is an organization akin to slavery,, Heres Every Black Head Coach In NFL History, According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, according to the Pro Football History website, according to the pro football hall of fame website, according to the Pro Football Reference website, coached the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 seasons from 2003 to 2018, named interim head coach of theAtlanta Falcons in the middle of the 2007 season, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for three seasons, NFL head coach with two separate teams from 2009 to 2020, a leading candidate for the Minnesota Vikings head coaching vacancy, Leslie Frazier was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2010 to 2013, Frazier interviewed for the Chicago Bears head coaching job, head coach for the Denver Broncos during the final four games of the 2010 season, Todd Bowles was a head coach in the NFL for five seasons, NFL head coach with two franchises for four seasons, Jackson claims the Browns incentivized losing, Anthony Lynn was a head coach in the NFL for two teams, reportedly a candidate for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job, Brian Flores was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Suicide Note Revealed After Shocking Death, Indicted! The reduction of Black NFL head coaches persist NFL Head Coaches by Age - profootballnetwork.com What's the setup of their operation? This revelation meant Flores upcoming interview with the Giants was a sham because they had already hired their next head coach, who is not Black. Marvin Lewis, who coached the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 seasons from 2003 to 2018, is among the current and former NFL coaches who have denounced the league for racial injustices and told NBC Sports that Black coaches have been getting sham interviews like those alleged by Brian Flores for years. Tomlin was 10-6 in his first season and is still in Pittsburgh. Caldwell was brought in after the Jim Schwartz (gym shorts) era ended with 4-12 and 7-9 seasons. He compiled a record of 21-32. Here's a look at every Black head coach in the NFL since 2000 - Deadspin He was named the Sporting News Coach of the Year in 1995. Dennis Greeen was the Vikings Head Coach from 1992 to 2001, and his 97 regular-season wins rank second in franchise history. Because I've learned that the best indicators of future success are self-motivation and self-discipline. Your email will be shared with praisephilly.com and subject to its. Hopefully, DeMecos hiring is the catalyst for more Black coaches in the NFL. He led the Oakland Raiders during the 2011 season and was the head coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2016 to 2018. Bowles was hired after Rex Ryans roller coaster ride with the Jets ended with a 4-12 finish in 2014. What do you think of that player? Interestingly enough, Caldwell was mentioned in Brian Flores lawsuit as an example of a Black NFL head coach who was fired in spite of the success he enjoyed. Emmitt Thomas Source:Getty Emmitt Thomas was named interim head coach of the Atlanta Falcons in the middle of the 2007 season after a sudden resignation left the position vacant. and over the next 13 seasons, which included seven years with the Indianapolis Colts, he racked up 148 total victories. Tomlin is one of the best coaches in the NFL, at playing as the underdog which means he is still a big game coach that can match skills and wit with the best of them. This in a league where seven out of ten players are minorities, and most of them black. So what's happening here? Raheem Morris was an NFL head coach with two separate teams from 2009 to 2020, including leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009 to 2011, with the first three seasons of that tenure including double-duty as the teams defensive coordinator. Doug Whaley says this could too. Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. The NFL has a serious diversity problem. He led the Oakland Raiders during the 2011 season and was the head coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2016 to 2018. Coaches[edit] Note: Statistics are correct through the end of the 2022 NFL season. Top 5 Black Coaches In NFL History - The Shadow League All Rights Reserved. The Houston Texans broughtCulley in to clean up the mess that Bill OBrien left after he underachieved with J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson, and DeAndre Hopkins on top of trading Hopkins and getting into it with Watt. Robiskie was an interim head coach twice in his career, taking over for the Commanders in 2000 and Browns in 2004. Of course, that type of logic is counterproductive and completely beside the point, what with the new racial discrimination lawsuit filed by a former Black head coach and alleging that the NFLs ownership is colluding to keep teams head coaches as white as possible. The NFL currently has three head coaches that are of African American origin. Dungy later became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Smith wasnt able to capture the magic he had in Chicago with Tampa Bay. The first version of the policy required every team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority during their process. His teams won division titles four times and advanced to NFC Championship Games after the 1998 and 2000 seasons, the team wrote on its website. Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images. He was never coached by a man of color at any point in his career, and he said on the teams that he was a part of the coaching staff, there was always one coach of color, and it was almost always the running back's coach. I'm James Brown. That's what we'll be discussing today. Heres Every Black Head Coach In NFL History During his entire head coaching career, his two teams combined for a record of 89-87-0 across eleven seasons including going 3-3-0 in the playoffs, according to the Pro Football History website. But, if history is any indication and it is thats far from a guarantee. The NFL has just three black head coaches. Some call it a 'denial of The Houston Texans announced this week that the organization hired Ryans on a six-year deal, making them the first NFL team to hire three consecutive Black coaches. There's also disparities in the type of coaching roles black coaches are hired for. He compiled a 56-52 overall. Check out the FULL list below! Perry Fewell was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills for a single season in 2019. Over a nearly 20-year career as a coach in the NFL, Leslie Frazier was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings from 2010 to 2013. Mel Tucker was named the interim head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars for the final five games of the 2011 season. But as we see now, just like anything, people that have children and even to yourself, when someone says you have to do something, you're obviously automatically going to have a bias towards it. Vance Joseph, who was the head coach for the Denver Broncos for the 2017 and 2018 seasons and is reportedly a candidate for the Miami Dolphins head coaching job that was left vacant after Brian Flores was fired. List of Kansas City Chiefs head coaches - Wikipedia He has captured two AFC championships and one Super Bowl title. Andrew Brandt would know. Record: 40-33-1, 1-2 in the playoffs. Black Monday NFL 2022: List of NFL Head Coaches Fired Today - The Duel Nancy Armour USA TODAY 0:00 1:51 The. I can go down and down the line, there's no majority black owner in the NFL. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/W1bXqGIfl0 The Rooney Rule is 20 years old this year. And then I say, "Okay, well I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money, but I'm going to tell you before you spend your money, you have to go through this process." What's your familiarity, and what's your schemes? Dungy later became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. 12. How many black head coaches are there in the NFL? - Sportskeeda Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Emmanuel Sanders. Lynn was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers the following season and served in that capacity for four years through the 2020 season. The rule was expanded in 2009 to include general managers as well as other front-office positions. McDaniel, who identifies as biracial, was named the head coach of the Dolphins in February 2022. Coaching rumors are heating up with three openings created on Monday morning. He went 2-3 in those games. I'll break it down to even more simpler terms. Hue Jackson was an NFL head coach with two franchises for four seasons. | Source: Wesley Hitt / Getty. Ray Rhodes coached in various NFL capacities for nearly 40 years, including a five-year run as head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and later with the Green Bay Packers. He was replaced by Adam Gase, a guy that went 9-23 in two seasons. The dearth of African American offensive NFL head coaches is both systemic and deep-rooted, owing in parts to networking practices, the embers of retrograde stereotypes and the lasting effects of . After announcing his retirement from coaching after the 2021 season, Payton has returned to the NFL and will be the Broncos' 19th head coach in franchise history. In all, Dungy has a head coaching record of 148-79-0 and won the regular season games he coached at a rate of nearly 70%, according to the pro football hall of fame website. Hubbard Alexander. Top 10 Black Coaches in NFL History - Fanrankings.com The Jets hired Edwards after they were 9-7 the year prior. That makes grand total of three in a 32-team league where 60% of players are Black. Morris was 17-31 in three seasons and wound up being replaced by Greg Schiano, then Lovie Smith, and then Dirk Koetter none of them fared much better. As the league becomes more driven by quarterbacks, coaching quarterbacks is becoming a fast track to becoming a head coach. Leadership is defined in a lot of different ways. Here's Every Black Head Coach In NFL History Mostly, Pollard would see the work and sacrifice he and other Black coaches have made wasn't. Bowles, an Elizabeth, New Jersey, native, was the Jets' head coach . Cully was 4-13 this past season. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under then-head coach Brian Flores during the 2021 season. Flores was replacing Adam Gase who was 23-25 in three seasons, as he went 24-25 in three seasons. Must Black folks be head coaches too, critics might be wondering. He's accusing teams including the New York Giants and Denver Broncos of conducting sham interviews with him last year. Lynn was the interim head coach of the Bills for one game in 2016 before becoming the head coach of the Chargers from 2017-2020. He lasted three years in Indianapolis (2009-2011) before getting another opportunity in Detroit (2014-2017). The new wave of head-coaching hires in the NFL has seen a trend toward younger, offensive-minded leading men getting the top jobs. 4. In the suit, Flores cites text messages from New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick, who said he believed he was contacting Brian Daboll, another coach interviewing for the New York Giants head coaching position. Hue Jackson was an NFL head coach with two franchises for four seasons. I said, "What do you do before you go to the bathroom?" Here's what our USA TODAY Sports investigation found. He was 41-44 in his tenure and took the Jets to the postseason in three of his five seasons. He had an aggregate record of 36-28, a winning percentage of .563 the best winning percentage of any Lions Head Coach since the 1950s, Flores lawsuit said in part. Bowles went 10-6 in his first season and was 24-40 in his four years on the sidelines for the Jets. Mike Tomlin, Brian Flores and David Culley are the three NFL coaches. This is the NFL, a place where Black coaches get treated like third-class citizens. Either way, Flores. Shane Steichen, Offensive Coordinator, Eagles. The league in general is very tough because it's not like a lot of other industries where there's a criteria of how you get promoted. List of NFL Head Coaches Fired in 2023 Includes Nathaniel Hackett Marvin Lewis, who coached the Cincinnati Bengals for 16 seasons from 2003 to 2018, is among the current and former NFL coaches who have denounced the league for racial injustices and told NBC Sports that Black coaches have been getting sham interviews like those alleged by Brian Flores for years. Who are the youngest coaches in the league, and which ones are getting long in the tooth? We see coaches, as I mentioned, like Ron Rivera, Mike McDaniel, Robert Saleh, not exclusively African American. So all minorities, look for a mentor, but pay it forward by being a mentor. He was then hired full-time and was 8-8 in his lone full season. Dennis Greeen was the Vikings Head Coach from 1992 to 2001, and his 97 regular-season wins rank second in franchise history. The franchise was founded in 1960 by Lamar Hunt and were known as the Dallas Texans when the team was located in Dallas, Texas. He had an aggregate record of 36-28, a winning percentage of .563 the best winning percentage of any Lions Head Coach since the 1950s, Flores lawsuit said in part. He served in the same double capacity with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020.