In Atlanta, Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman recently shared his reflections on the possibility of winning a national championship, a moment which would have been historic for him as the first Black coach to achieve such a feat in college football. Despite a 34-23 defeat to Ohio State, Freeman’s aspirations and the significance of his journey cannot be overlooked, particularly on a day marked by other poignant events in American history, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of Donald Trump for a second term.
King’s legacy of advocating for equality and inclusion resonates today, especially amid rising scrutiny over diversity initiatives within educational institutions. According to Joseph Cooper, director of the Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport at UMass, the coincidence of Freeman’s pursuit and Martin Luther King Jr. Day may symbolize cautious optimism. He noted that the incoming political administration has pledged to reconsider Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, encapsulating a challenging landscape for progress on race and equity.
Freeman’s endeavor comes over four decades after the first Black coach claimed a national championship in college basketball, underscoring the ongoing struggle in collegiate athletics related to minority hiring practices. Rod Broadway, a former head coach at historically Black universities, likened the challenges faced by Black coaches today to the earlier barriers encountered by Black quarterbacks in football.
Recent trends indicate a detrimental shift for Black coaches, especially following growing opposition to affirmative action and DEI policies, catalyzed by the Black Lives Matter movement post-George Floyd’s murder in 2020. Recent Supreme Court rulings have dismantled affirmative action in college admissions, and states like Florida have ceased funding for public universities to support DEI programming. With a backdrop like this, the intersection of football and societal change becomes increasingly complex.
As of the latest postseason, Black coaches hold only 11.9% of head coaching positions within college football’s premier level, a notable gap compared to the NFL, where the Rooney Rule mandates the consideration of minority candidates for available jobs. No similar requirement exists in college sports, aside from an initiative within the West Coast Conference, which does not include football.
Freeman, who has a diverse heritage with an African American father and a South Korean mother, displayed humility and ambition when discussing the significance of his semifinal victory against fellow Black coach James Franklin. He expressed hopes that all types of coaches, irrespective of their background, will continue to receive opportunities to mentor young athletes.
Reflecting on the broader implications of his position, Freeman noted during his 2021 hiring that he seeks to exemplify the possibilities that arise from being given opportunities. He asserted that the lack of such chances remains a significant barrier. Despite historical milestones in basketball, opportunities in football for Black coaches remain sparse.
Commenting on the overall state of minority hiring in sports, Richard Lapchick, founder of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at UCF, acknowledged that while the arrival of a Black coach in a football title game was anticipated, the timeline has taken longer than expected.
Broadway, now retired, reflects with mixed emotions on recent developments as he observes from South Carolina. He recounted a moment from the early 2010s when he was approached for a major coaching position, believing that the media presence was more about the race of the candidate than any serious consideration of his qualifications.
Broadway remains disheartened about the ongoing lack of support for emerging Black coaching talent in college football. Just as uncertainty surrounds whether Freeman’s trajectory marks a turning point or a fleeting moment, questions persist about whether recent notable hires, including those of Black former NFL athletes like Deion Sanders, Michael Vick, and DeSean Jackson, signal real progress or merely serve to fill vacancies.
“There are countless talented African American coaches who, if given the chance, could excel in the field,” Broadway said. “Unfortunately, many talented individuals still struggle to obtain crucial opportunities.”
