Since the NFL regular season ended, there were 8 head coaches fired and 7 general manager or front office personnel fired. That’s 15 jobs openings that became available and none were filled by a minority.
It is a sad state, but the usual norm so no one should be surprised. USA Today is reporting via a high-ranking NFL official, that a major overhaul of the Rooney Rule or the process that was put in place to prevent such discriminatory practices, could be in the works.
“While there has been full compliance with the interview requirements of the Rooney Rule and we wish the new head coaches and general managers much success, the hiring results this year have been unexpected and reflect a disappointing lack of diversity,” said NFL executive vice president of human resources Roibert Gulliver in a statement.
“The Rooney Rule has been a valuable tool in expanding diversity and inclusion in hiring practices, but there is more work to do, especially around increasing and strengthening the pipeline of diverse candidates for head coach and senior football executive positions.
“We have already started the process of developing a plan for additional steps that will better ensure more diversity and inclusion on a regular basis in our hiring results. We look forward to discussing these steps with our advisers to ensure that our employment, development and equal opportunity programs are both robust and successful,” Gulliver added.
Several organizations have stated that they will press the NFL to overhaul and make sufficient changes to the “Rooney Rule.”
Each of the teams that had vacancies did comply with the rule, but it impossible to determine to what extent that compliance was followed.
Many are questioning if the NFL amid all it’s popularity is moving backwards when it comes to hiring head coaches and front office personnel.
Has the myth that minorities lack intelligence and leadership qualities now jumped to head coaches and front office personnel, since it can no longer be used on the quarterback position?
Giants GM Jerry Reese seems to think that sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw.
“It seems a little bit unusual with so many openings (front office, HC, OC, DC) this cycle, but qualified minority candidates were interviewed and it didn’t happen this time,” Reese said in an email to USA TODAY Sports. “I think the Rooney Rule definitely helps and brings awareness in the hiring process, but the rule is not meant to make clubs hire anyone. I’m hopeful that more minority candidates will be seriously interviewed and considered as we move forward in the years to come.
“Sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw, coincidence, or however you want to frame it … look at (former Giants executive) Dave Gettleman, who worked in the league for 25 years before he got his opportunity at a top position.”
I’m extremely interested in knowing what my readers think?