Blackistone: Coaching hires prove NFL discriminates

[Maikeru-sama]

Coaching hires prove NFL discriminates


01:25 AM CST on Thursday, January 19, 2006


Romeo Crennel got his first NFL head coaching job last February. Eric Mangini got his first NFL head coaching job Tuesday.

Crennel had just capped his 35th season in coaching, including nearly a quarter of a century in the NFL. Mangini turns 35 today and just completed his 11th season coaching in the league.

Crennel had just won a third Super Bowl ring in four years with Bill Belichick's Patriots as the defensive coordinator, a title he held previously in Cleveland, too. Mangini just watched his 11th season as an NFL assistant – his first as a coordinator – wind down in the divisional playoffs, where the defense he oversaw for Belichick's defending champions gave up 27 points at Denver in a loss.

Crennel is black; Mangini is white.

There was a lot of backslapping going on around the NFL this season about the strides the league made in its ongoing struggle to provide coaching aspirants of color a fair shot. Crennel was one of six black head coaches this season.

But improved numbers alone are not evidence that the NFL has become a meritocracy when it comes to front-office hiring. Its culture has not yet changed.

Not when it takes an infinitely more experienced and successful Crennel nearly a lifetime to become a head coach while a Mangini, Crennel's understudy, can become a field general as a relative neophyte.

Not when Mike McCarthy, the mastermind behind a horrific 49ers offense who previously was the genius behind a similarly horrendous Saints offense, gets picked to be Green Bay's head coach over candidates such as Bears assistant Ron Rivera, who just coordinated one of the most dominant defenses an NFL season has witnessed.

Not when the runner-up to the Jets' opening that Mangini won was Mike Tice, dismissed at season's end as a near joke of a sideline strategist for the Vikings.

"If anybody thinks this thing has changed, they need to deal with it day to day," said John Wooten, the '60s era lineman who chairs the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a group of minority coaches and executives in the NFL working with clubs to open the hiring process. (Pollard became the first black pro football head coach in the '20s and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame last year.)

If white coaches were looked at as black coaches are, the Cowboys' Sean Payton would have had a hard time getting hired by the Saints after all that marred Tice's tenure in the Twin Cities. But white coaches are judged individually, as all should be, and not collectively, as are black coaches.

To be sure, how many times in recent weeks have you heard it suggested that more black head coaching aspirants should win head jobs this off-season because of the success this season of Tony Dungy, Marvin Lewis and Lovie Smith? Have you ever heard it suggested that white coaches shouldn't be hired because of the lack of success of Norv Turner or Dom Capers or Jim Haslett?

And even though we're supposed to be entering an off-season in which the unfairness of being judged collectively is supposed to work in favor of black head coaching aspirants, it hasn't.

There have been 10 head coaching vacancies. There have been five hires. One went to a black man, Herm Edwards, who left the Jets after five seasons, three in which he guided them to the playoffs.


CHARLES KRUPA/ Associated Press
After only one season as a coordinator, Eric Mangini, who turned 35 today, is an NFL head coach.
That Edwards got retreaded was a breakthrough of sorts. Second chances don't seem to be extended often to black coaches. Dennis Green and Dungy are so good, they couldn't be denied. But Ray Rhodes got one season in Green Bay after four in Philadelphia. Art Shell is still waiting for another shot despite a winning record and three playoff berths leading the Raiders for six seasons.

It takes the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires franchises to interview candidates of color for openings, to ensure, if only falsely, that white candidates aren't the only candidates who get a look-see.

The NFL hasn't progressed anywhere near as much as the NBA, where race doesn't stand out anymore in front offices. Perhaps the NFL is a little further along than baseball. Time will tell if the World Series success of the White Sox, led by black general manager Kenny Williams and skippered by Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, will translate into more opportunities for black and Latin front-office hopefuls there. So far, it hasn't.

But even though the coach of the year battle came down to Smith and Dungy, black head coaching hopefuls in the NFL are still waiting, even as the league hired its youngest coach since the early '60s.

E-mail kblackistone@***BANNED-URL***


WHAT ARE THEY WAITING FOR?
Kevin B. Blackistone lists the four minority assistant coaches in the NFL who are best suited, but thus far, passed over for NFL head coaching jobs:

Maurice Carthon, 44, Cle.: Named Browns offensive coordinator last February after spending two seasons as Cowboys offensive coordinator. ... Has 12 years of NFL coaching experience.

Jerry Gray, 43, Buf.: Five seasons as a defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills. ... In 2004, UT-ex molded defense that finished in the top five in the NFL in five categories.

Tim Lewis, 44, NYG: Six seasons as a defensive coordinator, the last two with the New York Giants. ... Employs aggressive and hard-hitting style of defense.

Ron Rivera, 43, Chi.: Completed second season as Chicago Bears defensive coordinator. ... Bears finished second in the NFL in total defense this season.

Link

 

[Hostile]

I thought Rivera would get the Rams job. I also thought Tim Lewis had a real good chance.

 

[aikemirv]

If you are going to write that article then you have to do the research to tell me what black coaches should have been interviewed and which ones wanted to be interviewed. Otherwise, you are grasping at straws.

Show me where Art Shell said he wanted another opportunity. Show me where Ray Rhodes, who had serious health problems last year I believe wanted a head coaching job.

Show me the list of assistants and their tenures that got overlooked.

Don't get me wrong, because some of what he is saying is probably true, but you can't write an article like that without some facts.

Romeo Crennell had 39 years, Mangini did not get promoted before him, it was after him. Compare Mangini to the avaialable candidates right now.

Most of the guys that are interviewed are the assistants with successful teams and thuis Mangini gets an interview. If he was the defensive coordinator for the Saints he would not have gotten a look.

 

[burmafrd]

typical race baiting without any real facts to back it up.

 

[jksmith269]

No offense but this is a crock of crap. If I'm an owner of a business I don't think the government or anyone for that matter should be able to tell me who I can hire and can't hire. Nor should they regulate to me how many minorities I should hire or even interview for a job.

I'm sick of the "Race" topics. Let people be hired and fired based on their ability not their color.

The coaches listed I agree are great at what they do. But how do we as fans know what was said in the interview's that may have kept them from getting the job. could it be that the coaches just had better interviews and overall leadership skills not just on one side of the ball. there could be hundereds of reasons why they didn't get hired but all anyone want's to bring up is RACE and it's BS!!!!

 

[junk]

Carthon and Gray? Not exactly top notch coaching prospects in my book.

Lewis? I've heard that NY is/was thinking of dumping him anyway.

Rivera is a solid candidate.

McCarthy simply continues the tradition of offensive minded coaches versed in the WCO at Green Bay.

How come Blackistone failed to mention how long it took Weis to get a head coaching job? Maybe the overwhelming success that Crennel and Weis had in their new jobs had something to do with Mangini getting a job so quickly.

 

[superpunk]

If you are going to write that article then you have to do the research to tell me what black coaches should have been interviewed and which ones wanted to be interviewed. Otherwise, you are grasping at straws.

Show me where Art Shell said he wanted another opportunity. Show me where Ray Rhodes, who had serious health problems last year I believe wanted a head coaching job.

Show me the list of assistants and their tenures that got overlooked.

Don't get me wrong, because some of what he is saying is probably true, but you can't write an article like that without some facts.

Romeo Crennell had 39 years, Mangini did not get promoted before him, it was after him. Compare Mangini to the avaialable candidates right now.

Most of the guys that are interviewed are the assistants with successful teams and thuis Mangini gets an interview. If he was the defensive coordinator for the Saints he would not have gotten a look.

Another thing - did Crennel even WANT to be a head coach somewhere until last year? Wasn't Carthon offered a head coaching job, but turned it down?

Also look at the philosophies of the hires. Payton specializes in working with QBs. The Saints are in line to draft a blue chip draft pick QB. Makes perfect sense. The Rams run an offensive ballclub. linehan is an offensive guru, who already had success in Minnesota! When people just look at the surface of a situation, you can interpret it to mean whatever you want.

This is an agenda driven article. I suppose there's no chance that these black candidates just didn't fit the direction a team wanted to go in. I suppose there's no chance that they just didn't interview well. I guess that's true, if you're looking to write an expose article on an issue you've already made your mind up on.

 

[Doomsday101]

Carthon and Gray? Not exactly top notch coaching prospects in my book.

Lewis? I've heard that NY is/was thinking of dumping him anyway.

Rivera is a solid candidate.

McCarthy simply continues the tradition of offensive minded coaches versed in the WCO at Green Bay.

How come Blackistone failed to mention how long it took Weis to get a head coaching job? Maybe the overwhelming success that Crennel and Weis had in their new jobs had something to do with Mangini getting a job so quickly.

True and I have not heard Jim Johnson getting any interviews in the past despite putting together a very good defensive team in Philly.

 

[neosapien23]

Look I am hispanic. I have worked in the watermelon fields on 103 degree hot weather. My older brothers both worked in the Gotton Gin and in the fields all day with a backhoe. My father used to work 17 hour days in the oil riggs. When my Dad broke his leg to company negligence, he took workman's comp and worked in the fields with a broken leg. I had to join the army to get money for college despite graduating as a honor student. Even today thousands of illegal immigrants from Mexico sneak across the border to try and make a better life for themselves. Instead of blaming the whiteman people should be trying to make a better life for themselves. I'm not saying racism doesn't exist, but it doesn't exist everywhere. My oldest brother who used to work in the fields is now a supervisor in a demolition company. The only people who outrank him are the owners and the owner's family. He is Hispanic. It can be done people.

 

[Gaede]

it's pretty obvious how the rest of you feel, but I agree with the article.

I think the process is starting to change, but the hiring processes of front offices is not where it should be.

 

[Maikeru-sama]

Good Read.

We still have a long way to go.

And I wonder what was up with Art Shell not getting a position. Will have to research that when I get some time.

- Mike G.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Blackistone is just trying to sell news. Race sells....

 

[Zman5]

NFL dicriminates just like any other sectors of our society.

That's not really news.

 

[trickblue]

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/thread_stuff/bucklethread.gif

 

[CrazyCowboy]

It is what it is........NFL

 

[aikemirv]

Good Read.

We still have a long way to go.

And I wonder what was up with Art Shell not getting a position. Will have to research that when I get some time.

- Mike G.

You say "we still have a long way to go"

What exactly do you mean?

Do you want the same ratio of black coaches to black players or are you saying that we have a long way to go with the process of coach hiring.

Because, while I don't necessarily believe that he is wrong, I don't believe he backed up his article well at all.

By the way, I don't know what the ratio of total black coaches to white coaches in the NFL (and with that I mean all coaches, assistants and such). And I don't know how many of them really want a head coaching job either - white or black.

If you want to do a good article you do a complete analysis of the situation - and with that you have to do a survey to all coaches, black and white and ask them - first of all "what are your ambitions" and then from there take it on.

I for one am a controller of a small/midsize company and I earn a pretty good salary. I don't really want any more responsibility/hours and such that go along with a higher profile job.

My brother on the other hand is a controller for a large copmpany and probably makes at least double what I do. He has much more responsibility and works many more hours. I would not trade with him for 1 second.

You cannot do an effective piece without that info!!

 

[BAZ]

"There have been 10 head coaching vacancies. There have been five hires."

He should of waited till the other five were hired. If five more black coaches are hired ( I know it's unlikely ) then its 6 -4 . He has a good point but to write it now makes me think he is trying to sell papers ,which is a pity because I usually like him.

 

[noshame]

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/thread_stuff/bucklethread.gif

LOL - great timing

 

[WoodysGirl]

Art Shell has put his name out there in the past, but never got a sniff.

Mort posted in a chat last year that basically said he's been out of coaching too long. If he'd taken an assistant job to stay in the loop, maybe.

The Mangini hire was a head scratcher simply cuz he's so light in experience. Alot of people don't particularly like the hire cuz of that. And the point Blackistone was making is that Mangini wasn't even on the HC radar prior to him moving up to DC last year and somehow he's a HC after one year as a DC. While Crennel made the rounds for several years before landing in Cleveland.

I normally don't post my opinions in these type of threads, simply cuz it's one of those that go too far off the radar, but I'll chime in on the coaching aspect

I think people confuse the idea that African American coaches are looking for handouts just cuz they're African Americans. I posted an article within one of the other threads similar to this one that disputed that notion from coaches who are currently doing the HC interview circuit.

The point is that they weren't even getting shots for interviews prior to that Rooney rule. These guys had coaching experience but they weren't even getting opportunties as legit candidates. Now they are. That's progress to me. Yeah you would think a couple more would have gotten hired with all the openings. But I've missed out on alot of jobs even tho I think I've interviewed well. And that may well could be the case here.

One of the comments made from that article by one of the coaching candidates is that at least guys are getting interviews and learning how the process works. So that they can be better prepared when their name comes up next time.

 

[WoodysGirl]

http://img.***BLOCKED***/albums/v628/cowboyszone/thread_stuff/bucklethread.gif

It doesn't have to. But as long as folks keep it clean and leave out the personal commentary, it has potential to stay normal.