Sportscolumn || Comments || Edwards' Situation Not a Good Message For Minority Coaches

2008 NFL Week 5 Picks and Podcast: Live Thursday at 8PM ET | Week 4

Edwards' Situation Not a Good Message For Minority Coaches | 8 comments (6 topical, 2 editorial, 0 hidden)

AJ (#3)
by BostonMac on Thu Jan 12 2006 at 6:58 AM EST

Your argument is a common one, but unfortunately one has to admit that racism exists and that as much as you want to disparage people who make it "all about race", it is impossible to dismiss it entirely.

The Rooney Rule is not ideal but it is a good step towards breaking up the "old boy network" that results in coaches like Rich Kotite, Jim Haslett, Mike Tice, Norv Turner, etc. constantly getting hired for NFL jobs. Racial considerations aside, the breaking up of cronyism is a big step forward for a meritocratic attitude in hiring the best person for the job regardless of race.

Still, you cannot say that racism doesn't exist, or that we should be a "color blind" society; you can't fight ignorance with more ignorance.

well... (#4)
by AJKaufman on Thu Jan 12 2006 at 11:07 AM EST

I somewhat agree. Denny Green could fit right into the old boys network, but yes, those other guys should not keep getting recycled. When Herm fails in KC and then gets rehired, or if Dungy had failed in Indy and went elsewhere, he could be part of the network, too. It has NOTHING to do with race, and while Lovie Smith and Marvin Lewis are excellent coaches, I don't think Lovie deserved coach of the year over Marvin, Dungy, Shanahan, Fox, Del Rio, Holmgren or even Gibbs.

[ Parent ]

: 2 cents (#5)
by wdwilson on Thu Jan 12 2006 at 3:07 PM EST

Nice comments, but tt took until 1988 for a black to get a head coaching job in the NFL. Because of the legacy of discrimination, race will continue to be an issue for the foreseeable future. One thing for certain, black coaches have proven themselves to be every bit as qualified as others. All they ever needed was the opportunity.
Regarding Green, he has only had two coaching jobs so he hardly qualifies for the old boys network. Actually, to qualify for the network, you have to be a mediocre coach that continues to get jobs. Great coaches, like Parcells for example, have earned the right to be offered jobs, and to pursue any opportunity presented to them.
And Lovies coached the Bears to biggest turnaround of all the coaches mentioned. He deserves it.
As for Herm, I think its a sign of progress when a black coach can be coveted like he was. His situation in NY had always been tenuous anyway. The Jets could have sweetened the pot for him but they didn't, so he did what was in his best interest. Though I'm a NY jet/giant fan, I'm not mad at him.

[ Parent ]

Understand one thing... (#8)
by James Butler on Thu Jan 12 2006 at 5:32 PM EST

It is not about whether or not racism exists. Remember, one of the coaches not mentioned for the Kansas City job was Tim Lewis. The bottom line is (similar to other situations) people have their own preferences when hiring somebody. Can someone's preferences include a certain race? Sure it can. It probably has happened countless of times. Still race is in line with age, experience, family, friendships etc. With the number of African-American players and assistant coaches that have gone through the league, one would not be wrong for thinking that there should be more African-American head coaches. Though before screaming bloody murder, look at the relationship between those potential candidates and the people who are doing the hiring. Herman Edwards was in good standing with the "right" people. Often that is the most important thing, no matter what color a person is.

[ Parent ]

Edwards' Situation Not a Good Message For Minority Coaches | 8 comments (6 topical, 2 editorial, 0 hidden)

Login

Create an account