Diversity Group ‘Happy’ With Coach Hiring Cycle
Washington Post February 2, 2008 Mark Maske, Washington Post Staff Writer
Officials with the diversity group that has worked with the NFL to improve minority hiring said they’re pleased with this year’s hiring cycle for coaches, even though it might not result in minority candidates being hired for head coaching jobs.
If there’s not a minority head coach hired during this hiring cycle, it would be the first time that’s happened in the six hiring cycles since the NFL imposed a rule that each team with a head coaching opening must interview at least one minority candidate. That rule widely is known as the Rooney Rule for Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, the chairman of the league’s workplace diversity committee.
Even so, Washington lawyer Cyrus Mehri said he’s pleased with the hiring cycle because each team with a head coaching vacancy complied with the interviewing rule, he said. Mehri serves as counsel for the Fritz Pollard Alliance, the group formed to promote diversity in hiring at all levels in the NFL.
“It’s about the process,” Mehri said. “We were very happy about the process this year. For every single opening, there was a serious process with serious minority candidates considered. ... [W]e’ve always focused on the process. That’s why we applaud [Redskins owner] Dan Snyder, no matter what happens with the Redskins, and we have a bigger picture than just the head coaches.” |
