Billy Bullocks
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I think it's great that the league has made this many strides in the diversity of the coaches in the league. I do find it a bit ridiculous that ESPN has OTL really driving home the "Rooney Rule". Why can't we just let the moment be just what it is. 2 very good NFL coaches who got their respective teams to the Super Bowl, and happen to be black. Why must we cite the "Rooney Rule".
I don't feel that Tony Dungy got any of his merits in this league because he is black. Tony Dungy built a team that eventually won a SB in Tampa Bay, and he has now coached Indy to the big dance. I don't think his skin color had anything to do with his success in the league, nor with his hiring.
Same goes for Lovie Smith. The guy has been a great defensive mind in this game for quite some time. You see it in his previous stops, and you see it now. Lovie Smith wasn't hired because of the "Rooney Rule", he was hired because what he does has proven to work in the NFL.
Marvin Lewis orchestrated one of the best defenses the NFL has ever seen in Baltimore. That's why Cincinatti hired the guy. No other reason. Herm Edwards has had success in this league as well.
I understand the historical importance of this meeting, and don't think that should be ignored at all. But come on, you don't have to bring in the "Rooney Rule" into the discussion at all.
I also found it quite annoying that they cited Jerry Jones' and his swift hiring of Parcells. Why does Jerry have to interview anyone if he has his guy. Does the formality of interviewing a minority canidate really make any difference if JJ was going to hire Bill anyway? Does it take away anything that the succesful minority coaches in this league have achieved? No.
I don't feel that Tony Dungy got any of his merits in this league because he is black. Tony Dungy built a team that eventually won a SB in Tampa Bay, and he has now coached Indy to the big dance. I don't think his skin color had anything to do with his success in the league, nor with his hiring.
Same goes for Lovie Smith. The guy has been a great defensive mind in this game for quite some time. You see it in his previous stops, and you see it now. Lovie Smith wasn't hired because of the "Rooney Rule", he was hired because what he does has proven to work in the NFL.
Marvin Lewis orchestrated one of the best defenses the NFL has ever seen in Baltimore. That's why Cincinatti hired the guy. No other reason. Herm Edwards has had success in this league as well.
I understand the historical importance of this meeting, and don't think that should be ignored at all. But come on, you don't have to bring in the "Rooney Rule" into the discussion at all.
I also found it quite annoying that they cited Jerry Jones' and his swift hiring of Parcells. Why does Jerry have to interview anyone if he has his guy. Does the formality of interviewing a minority canidate really make any difference if JJ was going to hire Bill anyway? Does it take away anything that the succesful minority coaches in this league have achieved? No.
