Fritz Pollard became the first Black head coach in NFL history after the Akron Pros appointed him as co-coach in 1921. He looked at me crazy and he said, "Well, go to the bathroom." We should be able to have a system where the best person for the job gets hired, not the person you know the best. Green made the playoffs in eight of 10 seasons in Minnesota, with his most memorable campaign coming in 1998. Flores still has upcoming interviews for head coaching positions with at least two other teams, so, considering the public relations fiasco that his lawsuit is, chances are that pressure will result in him being hired. Pittsburghs Mike Tomlin and Houstons David Culley are the lone Black head coaches in a league thats over 70 percent Black. Hopefully, DeMecos hiring is the catalyst for more Black coaches in the NFL. For perspectives sake, the NFL entered Black History Month 2022 with just one single Black head coach despite its vow a decade earlier to increase diversity among its head and assistant coaches. From all of us at USA Today, thanks for listening. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Bowles was hired after Rex Ryans roller coaster ride with the Jets ended with a 4-12 finish in 2014. What I was looking for is the kind of person that I don't know, does 50 pushups right out of bed, that makes a to-do list right out of bed, that has a routine. Fritz Pollard became the first Black head coach in NFL history after the Akron Pros appointed him as co-coach in 1921. What's in it for interims? Relationships play a big part too. Notably, Jackson responded to Flores lawsuit by claiming he was subjected to similar treatment described in the complaint. He ended those two stints with an overall record of11-44-1. Todd Bowles was a head coach in the NFL for five seasons, beginning with the Miami Dolphins in the 2011 season and four other seasons leading the New York Jets from 2015 to 2018. The league has even gone to such drastic measures as partnering with rap legend JAY Z in the name of entertainment and social justice as a way to help accomplish its evasive mission. Lovie Smith was a head coach with the Chicago Bears for eleven seasons from 2004 to 2012 before he was hired as thehead coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014to2015. After serving as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills in 2021, Frazier interviewed for the Chicago Bears head coaching job. Mike Tomlin, who, as of the time of this list being published, was the lone Black head coach in the NFL, has led the Pittsburgh Steelers for 15 seasons since 2007. List of Kansas City Chiefs head coaches - Wikipedia Emmitt Thomas was named interim head coach of theAtlanta Falcons in the middle of the 2007 season after a sudden resignation left the position vacant. James Franklin (Penn State coach) So far, the best bet to be the first Black coach to win an FBS national championship remains Franklin, whose Nittany Lions will likely enter the season as a . That makes grand total of three in a 32-team league where 60% of players are Black. The year before, Norv Turner was 4-12, and the year after Shell left, Lane Kiffin was 4-12 in his first season. 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." Mike Tomlin has been one of the best black head coaches in the modern NFL. Tenure: Four-plus seasons (71 games). He was fired in September 2022. Bowles, an Elizabeth, New Jersey, native, was the Jets' head coach . He left the league with a 54-74 overall record. | Source: Wesley Hitt / Getty. said his lawsuit will not be deterred regardless of whether he is or isnt an NFL head coach next season. Herman Herm Edwards, largely seen as a mentor to many current and former NFL players, coached the New York Jets from 2001-2005 and the Kansas City Chiefs from 2006 to 2008, according to the Pro Football Reference website. The rule was expanded in 2009 to include general managers as well as other front-office positions. Shell was the first Black head coach in the modern era of the NFL. He was then hired full-time and was 8-8 in his lone full season. Is it right, wrong or indifferent? #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/W1bXqGIfl0 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. 93% of running back's coaches in the NFL at the start of the season were coaches of color compared to something like 18% or something of quarterback's coaches. How many black head coaches are there in the NFL? - Sportskeeda He is the current running backs coach for the Dolphins. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Flores was replacing Adam Gase who was 23-25 in three seasons, as he went 24-25 in three seasons. He served as the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins under then-head coach Brian Flores during the 2021 season. The Rooney Rule is 20 years old this year. 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. NFL Black Monday tracker: A running list of the coaches fired 2023 Sports news website the Ringer reported that Flores was not fired because of his coaching but rather because of his troubled relationship with team owner Stephen Ross, a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has refuted claims of racial discrimination. Green was picked up in Arizona after Dave McGinnis had three consecutive losing seasons in the desert. Thomas was named the interim head coach of the Falcons in 2007 and went 1-2 after Bobby Petrino's sudden resignation. Podcasts: True crime, in-depth interviews and more USA TODAY podcasts right here. Dirk Koetter replaced Smith and wasnt much better, as Tampa Bay didnt get good again until Bruce Arians showed up in 2019. Heres Every Black Head Coach In NFL History The rule was named after Dan Rooney, then owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 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. Shane Steichen (left) and Jonathan Gannon will be among the top candidates in the next hiring cycle. Brandt is a sports agent turned NFL executive who spent about 10 years with the Green Bay Packers. 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. He went 11-21 in 32 games. So all minorities, look for a mentor, but pay it forward by being a mentor. The most influential Black coaches, admin in college football - Sports Whaley says women and minorities struggle to break through In this insular world. After leading the Buffalo Bills for one season in 2016. He signed a 10-year, $95 million deal with the Spartans in November 2021. 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,, 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. Category : African-American coaches of American football Nonetheless, Mr. Caldwell was fired the day after his fourth season.. Art Shell became head coach of the then-Los Angeles Raiders in 1988, a job he held until 1994, after the franchise moved to Oakland, according to the Raiders website. I'm James Brown. Mike Tomlin, Mike McDaniel, Todd Bowles, Lovie Smith, and interim head coach Steve Wilkes. He lasted three years in Indianapolis (2009-2011) before getting another opportunity in Detroit (2014-2017). That makes grand total of three in a 32-team league where 60% of players are Black. What's your systems? 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. Dungy was hired in Indianapolis after they went 6-10 before he arrived. He only coached eight total games, getting all three of his wins with Buffalo. Here's what our USA TODAY Sports investigation found. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, During his pro football career the two-time All-America played and sometimes coached for four different NFL teams, the Pros/Indians (1920-21/1925-26), the Milwaukee Badgers (1922), the Hammond Pros (1923, 1925), and the Providence Steam Roller (1925)., It also added: In 1928, Pollard organized and coached the Chicago Black Hawks, an all-African American professional team based in the Windy City.. The league has even gone to such drastic measures as partnering with rap legend JAY Z in the name of entertainment and social justice as a way to help accomplish its evasive mission. Del Alexander. The Houston Texans, replaced Smith with another black coach, DeMeco Ryans. The NFL Reminds Black Head Coaches They Can Clean Up But Not Lead During a nearly 40-year career coaching in the NFL, Robiskie was named an interim head coach twice once during the2000 season for the then-Washington Redskins and then during the 2004 season with the Cleveland Browns, according to the Pro Football History website. To be sure, the NFL has had more than 500 head coaches over the course of more than a century of competition. Nonetheless, Mr. Caldwell was fired the day after his fourth season.. It seems like an impossible task to succeed when the most important position on your roster is in such flux. He led the Oakland Raiders during the 2011 season and was the head coach for the Cleveland Browns from 2016 to 2018. If you look at solutions instead of just focused on the problem, that's where I think we all should be focusing our energy. He is currently the linebackers coach for the Steelers. Tony Dungy has been coaching in the NFL for more than 40 years, including when he landed his first head coaching gig in 1996 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which he led for 13 seasons. In his lone season as Kansas Citys head coach, he went 2-14 and was replaced by Andy Reid. Jackson took over for Tom Cable, who went 8-8 in his final season with the team. Caldwell had an incredible debut season as a head coach, going 14-2 with the Colts on the way to an appearance in Super Bowl XLIV. was originally published on To be sure, the NFL has had more than 500 head coaches over the course of more than a century of competition. 'Dilbert' Comic Creator Calls Black People A 'Hate Group,' Urges Segregation So Whites Can 'Escape', Bernie Mac Show Star Camille Winbush Is Not Ashamed Of Joining OnlyFans, Kyle Rittenhouse Faces 2nd Civil Lawsuit, Continues To Beg For Money From His Supporters, Ben Stein's 'Aunt Jemima' Rant Is A Master Class On White Privilege, Why Did tWitch Kill Himself? Nonetheless, Mr. Caldwell was fired the day after his fourth season.. Dungy later became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. 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. This is the NFL, a place where Black coaches get treated like third-class citizens. 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. He was replaced by Vic Fangio who was fired on Sunday. Jacksons second stint as an NFL head coach was atrocious as he was 1-31 in his first two seasons in Cleveland. Jackson claims the Browns incentivized losing while he was head coach in order to increase the teams odds in the NFL Draft. Lynn was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers the following season and served in that capacity for four years through the 2020 season. Here's Every Black Head Coach In NFL History Sports news website the Ringer reported that Flores was not fired because of his coaching but rather because of his troubled relationship with team owner Stephen Ross, a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has refuted claims of racial discrimination. List of NFL Head Coaches Fired in 2023 Includes Nathaniel Hackett The league in general is tough, but it is a lot tougher for people of color and minorities, and women. After serving as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills in 2021, Frazier interviewed for the Chicago Bears head coaching job. Notably, Jackson responded to Flores lawsuit by claiming he was subjected to similar treatment described in the complaint. 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. Mike Singletary was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers for three seasons from 2008 to 2010. Top Row: Lovie Smith, Marvin Lewis, Tony Dungy, Mike Tomlin, Jim Caldwell Botttom Row: Anthony Lynn, Romeo Crennel, Herm Edwards, Leslie Frazier, Brian Flores. Also, what's your assistant coach set up? Anthony Lynn was a head coach in the NFL for two teams over the course of five seasons. NFC Head Coaches Arizona Cardinals | Jonathan Gannon* Atlanta Falcons | Arthur Smith Carolina Panthers | Frank Reich* Chicago Bears | Matt Eberflus Dallas Cowboys | Mike McCarthy Detroit Lions | Dan Campbell Green Bay Packers | Matt LaFleur Los Angeles Rams | Sean McVay Minnesota Vikings | Kevin O'Connell New Orleans Saints | Dennis Allen On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast:5 Things Sunday Host James Brown explores the NFL's Rooney rule which requires teams to interview minority coaches and staff when positions like head coach, general manager, and coordinator positions open. Crennel was the head coach of the Browns (2005-2008), Chiefs (2011-2012) and Texans (2020), going 32-63 with those three teams. Jackson claims the Browns incentivized losing while he was head coach in order to increase the teams odds in the NFL Draft. Robiskie was an interim head coach twice in his career, taking over for the Commanders in 2000 and Browns in 2004. They have who they want to be their coordinators, to be their assistant coaches, in some cases, to be their quality control coaches, to be their equipment managers, to be their strength conditioning staff. Fritz Pollard became the first Black head coach in NFL history after the Akron Pros appointed him as co-coach in 1921. Former NFL star DeMeco Ryans is the next Black man to ascend to the position of head coach in the NFL. He went 2-3 in those games. After inheriting a 4-12 team led by Greg Schiano, Smith only lasted two seasons after going 8-24. Crennel took the reins over in K.C. 4. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. Of the five head . 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. After a long career as an assistant with the Patriots, Flores got a chance to run his own team when the Dolphins came calling in 2019. Frederick Pollard Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard Fritz Pollard was the first African-American football player to play at Brown University. 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. I'm James Brown, and as always, be well. 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.". Let's take a look back at the Black coaches who have been able to rise up the ranks, starting with the trailblazer who broke the NFL's color barrier more than 100 years ago. After all, they may be musing, isnt the NFL disproportionately made up of Black players? Black NFL Head Coaches: Full List Of Pro Football African American Leaders In 2002, the Texans entered the NFL as an expansion team, with Dom Capers (2002-05) as the team's first head coach. Despite the fact that coaches are beginning to opt out of the combine, both Pederson and Baalke will meet with the media to discuss strategy and other subjects on Tuesday, February 28 at 12:30 a.m . When Stephen Ross Miami Dolphins fired Brian Flores on Monday, it sent shockwaves around the NFL. Leadership is defined in a lot of different ways. The Rooney Rule was enacted in 2003 as part of the NFL's plan to "develop a deep, sustainable talent pool at all levels of the organization" and "increase the number of minorities hired in head coach, general manager and executive positions.". The rule was expanded in 2009 to include general managers as well as other front-office positions. The Vikings went 15-1 that season and racked up 556 points, which set an NFL record at the time.. 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. Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. MORE: The NFL Has A Major Black Head Coach Problem. Dungy later became the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. 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. After leading the Buffalo Bills for one season in 2016. OBrien was let go after starting the 2020 season 0-4, as the Texans finished 4-12 under interim coach Romeo Crennel. But, if history is any indication and it is thats far from a guarantee. Perry Fewell was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills for a single season in 2019. Every week we take a concept or idea and go deep, and this week we talk about football, football coaches that is. Jackson only got one season to prove his worth with the Raiders after finishing 8-8 in a season in which the team started 7-4. Anthony Lynn, who is black, went from running backs coach directly to head coach. MORE: The NFL Has A Major Black Head Coach Problem. The franchise was a charter member of the American Football League (AFL . Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Emmanuel Sanders. The Lions also had two playoff berths in four seasons, as compared to one playoff appearance in the previous 14 seasons. 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. Exactly. He compiled a record of 21-32. Top 5 Black Coaches In NFL History - The Shadow League 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. 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. I can go down and down the line, there's no majority black owner in the NFL. 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. Top 10 Black Coaches in NFL History - Fanrankings.com Hello, and welcome to Five Things. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! Jim Caldwell has been head coach for two different NFL franchises: the Indianapolis Colts from 2009 to 2011 and the Detroit Lions from 2014 to 2017. I think that might be part of the answer to why it exists, but I certainly don't think it's the entire answer. The rule was expanded in 2009 to include general managers as well as other front-office positions. He was fired 8 games into his third season and finished with a 3-36-1 record. During his entire head coaching career, his two teams combined for a record of 37-42-1 across five seasons including going 1-2-0 in the playoffs, according to the Pro Football History website.