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Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores directs his team during the second half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
NFL executives want, expect more Black coaches to be hired

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 15, 2022 12:13 AM EST

FILE - Minnesota Vikings chairman and co-owner Zygi Wilf, left, and General Manager Rick Spielman watch from the bench during pregame of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, in Detroit. The Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer on Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, according to a person with knowledge of the decision, after a second straight absence from the playoffs. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Vikings had not yet made the announcement. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Vikings GM candidates include Eagles exec Catherine Raîche

By Dave Campbell Jan. 13, 2022 01:03 PM EST

Houston Texans head coach David Culley tosses a challenge flag in the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Houston, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. The Jets won 21-14. (AP Photo/Eric Smith)
NFL earns higher grades for diversity hiring in study

By Aaron Beard Dec. 15, 2021 03:44 PM EST

FILE -Washington Redskins president Bruce Allen stands on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Landover, Md. Over the past 100 years, around 110 men and a handful of women have owned controlling portions of NFL teams. Of that select group, all but two have been white. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally, File)
Pipeline: Cascade of white owners has slowed NFL change

By Eddie Pells Dec. 03, 2021 11:26 AM EST

FILE - Carolina Panthers defensive run game coordinator Al Holcomb looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. As an African American growing up in Queens, New York, Holcomb spent his fall Sundays watching Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys on television, and dreaming of one day becoming an NFL head coach. The 51-year-old Holcomb has spent more than a quarter-century chasing that dream — one that eludes him to this day. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
Holcomb still chasing dream of becoming NFL head coach

By Steve Reed Nov. 26, 2021 10:56 AM EST

FILE - Troy Vincent, executive vice president of football operations at the NFL, speaks to reporters during NFL meetings in New York, Oct. 26, 2021. While recent hiring numbers for NFL coordinators are encouraging, the overall journey to diversity and inclusion for head coaches remains a struggle. Who says? Two of the most prominent proponents of the Rooney Rule: Vincent and Rod Graves. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
NFL Coaching Pipeline: Hiring process broken for diversity

By Barry Wilner Nov. 19, 2021 01:14 PM EST

This photo provided by the NFL shows NFL commissioner Roger Goodell laughing while meeting with Sam Rapoport, center left, the league's senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Jane Goodell, right, and Venessa Hutchinson, foreground, senior manager of football operations for the NFL in New York on Aug., 27, 2021. For decades, the road to the NFL for women has been filled with obstacles. It’s begun to open up in recent years, and the stories need to be told. Which leads to Sam Rapoport and “Earnin’ It: The NFL’s Forward Progress,′ a podcast launching Tuesday, Nov. 9.(NFL via AP)
"Earnin' It" an NFL podcast focusing on women in the league

By Barry Wilner Nov. 09, 2021 02:34 AM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2021, file photo, an NFL logo is displayed on a goal post pad during an NFL preseason football game between the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions in Detroit. The NFL has instituted some policy changes to the Rooney Rule designed to further enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring practices. The rule has been expanded to require teams to interview at least two external minority candidates for general manager/executive of football operations positions, and all coordinator roles. Beforehand, the requirement was to interview one minority from outside a team for openings in those positions. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski, File)
NFL enhances Rooney Rule to help interviewing process

By Barry Wilner Oct. 28, 2021 12:12 PM EDT

FILE - Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden attends a news conference after an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Las Vegas, in this Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, file photo. Jon Gruden is out as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after emails he sent before being hired in 2018 contained racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments. Gruden released a statement Monday night, Oct. 11, 2021, that he is stepping down after The New York Times reported that Gruden frequently used misogynistic and homophobic language directed at Commissioner Roger Goodell and others in the NFL.(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Fallout continues from Gruden resignation over emails

By Rob Maaddi And Barry Wilner Oct. 12, 2021 07:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 19, 1948, file photo, Cleveland Browns fullback Marion Motley, right, stands with coach Paul Brown after a football game against Buffalo in Cleveland. Brown never saw color, and in 1946 he recruited Motley and Bill Willis for his Cleveland team in the All-America Football Conference. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine, File)
Forgotten First: A look at four (and more) NFL trailblazers

By Barry Wilner Sep. 14, 2021 02:11 PM EDT

FILE - Toronto Argonauts Damon Allen, left, and his brother Marcus Allen stand on the sidelines before a Canadian Football League football game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Toronto, in this Saturday, Sept. 9, 2006, file photo. Three words resonate with Damon Allen when thinking of what his brother and NFL legend Marcus told him on multiple occasions during his storied career in the Canadian Football League. “Play within yourself,” Allen said. Now, Allen is hoping to share those words and his vast knowledge from a Hall of Fame career in the CFL with the Las Vegas Raiders, the organization his older brother starred for and led to a Super Bowl title in 1984. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press via AP)
Damon Allen hoping to launch coaching career with Raiders

By W.g. Ramirez Jul. 21, 2021 01:25 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 file photo, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during a news conference for Sunday's NFL AFC championship football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Troy Vincent wrapped up the NFL’s three-day General Manager Forum and Quarterback Coaching Summit with a passionate plea to anyone who still thinks there aren’t worthy Black candidates for head coaching positions. Vincent praised Houston Texans assistant coach Pep Hamilton, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson and several other coaches who gave impressive presentations during this week’s webinar. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NFL highlights minority candidates at QB Coaching Summit

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 24, 2021 02:31 AM EDT

NFL will review Eugene Chung's allegations of discrimination

By Rob Maaddi May. 24, 2021 02:14 PM EDT
The NFL plans to review Eugene Chung’s allegations that a team official made discriminatory comments during his interview for a coaching position. ...

Hannah Gordon, chief administrative officer and general counsel for the San Francisco 49ers is photographed at the team's headquarters on May 14, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. During Women’s History Month, Gordon reflects on how she navigated a male-dominated space and where the sports world needs to go from here. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group via AP)
AP Interview: 49ers' Hannah Gordon works for women's equity

By Ragan Clark Mar. 29, 2021 05:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he “vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner.” Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement last June after scores of former players said he bullied and discriminated against them. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Column: Meyer should know by now he's not in college anymore

By Tim Dahlberg Feb. 15, 2021 03:06 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2018, file photo, Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle walks on the field before an NCAA college football game between Iowa and Northern Illinois in Iowa City, Iowa. Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer defended the hiring of former Iowa assistant Chris Doyle on Thursday, Feb. 11, 20201, by saying he “vetted him thoroughly along with our general manager and owner.” Iowa agreed to pay Doyle $1.1 million in a resignation agreement last June after scores of former players said he bullied and discriminated against them. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Jaguars split with accused racist strength coach Chris Doyle

Feb. 12, 2021 05:17 PM EST

This undated photo provided by the United States Coast Guard shows a U.S. Coast Guard cutter named for Emlen Tunnell, docked in Bollinger Shipyard, in Lockport, La. Tunnell, the first Black player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, served in the Coast Guard during and after World War II, where he was credited with saving the lives of two shipmates in separate incidents. Now, a Coast Guard cutter and an athletic building on the Coast Guard Academy campus are being named in honor of the former New York Giants defensive back. (United States Coast Guard via AP)
Coast Guard honors Black veteran, NFL great Emlen Tunnell

By Pat Eaton-Robb Feb. 06, 2021 08:26 AM EST

Executive director of the NFL Players Association DeMaurice Smith speaks during a press conference ahead of Super Bowl LV, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts via AP)
NFL players continue fighting for social justice, diversity

By Rob Maaddi Feb. 04, 2021 08:25 PM EST

NFL football commissioner Roger Goodell speaks at a press conference ahead of Super Bowl 55, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (Perry Knotts/NFL via AP)
The Latest: Goodell: NFL will look at rules for coach hiring

By The Associated Press Feb. 04, 2021 02:14 PM EST

FILE - Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during an NFL football news conference at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., in this Jan. 23, 2020, file photo. Bieniemy has become the cause celebre when it comes to minority assistants who have been denied the opportunity to become head coaches in the NFL. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
Bieniemy doesn't ask to be 'poster boy' for Black coaches

By Josh Dubow Feb. 02, 2021 02:07 PM EST