ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin reflected during an interview after a practice this season, noting a significant observation. “It’s interesting to think about,” he stated, “but I’ve never had a Black head coach in any of my experiences—high school, college, or the NFL, just coordinators and position coaches.” McLaurin, along with many of his Black teammates in the NFL, has expressed concern regarding the shortage of Black head coaches in the league. A recent survey conducted among over 65 Black players from 25 different teams revealed that approximately 36% feel disheartened by the insufficient number of Black coaches in the league.
“We’re all going to view the situation similarly: There simply aren’t enough Black coaches,” voiced Dolphins linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. Ahead of the upcoming Super Bowl featuring the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, a notable point is that while both starting quarterbacks are Black, neither team is coached by a Black individual. Panthers safety Nick Scott highlighted a historical parallel, pointing out the slow acceptance of Black quarterbacks in the league. “There was a time when they were dismissed as being ‘not as cerebral.’ That mentality is challenging to shift when it comes to coaching roles,” Scott remarked, emphasizing the need to appropriately balance opportunities without merely ticking boxes without regard to qualifications.
In a landscape where President Donald Trump has sought to dismantle federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, many businesses have also retrenched their DEI efforts. Yet, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell assured that the league will persist in its commitment to diversity initiatives. Participants in the AP survey highlighted the stark gap between the demographics of Black athletes in the NFL—53.5% as of 2023—and the percentage of Black head coaches, which stands at 22% at the start of the season and could potentially drop to 19% next season with ongoing coaching changes. “You can’t ignore this disparity,” McLaurin remarked. “While it’s crucial to select the most qualified individuals for coaching positions, one would hope to see African-American representation that mirrors the diversity within the player demographic.”
When inquiring about the number of NFL teams that have not had a full-time Black head coach, McLaurin’s Commanders are among 11 teams lacking such leadership, joining the ranks of the Bills, Cowboys, Giants, Jaguars, Panthers, Rams, Ravens, Saints, Seahawks, and Titans—close to a third of all NFL teams. Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was taken aback, exclaiming, “Are you telling me that most teams in the South have never hired a Black coach? That’s unbelievable! How many haven’t even drafted a Black quarterback?”
An analysis over a span of 25 seasons from 2000 to 2024 shows that only 18% of the 173 new NFL coaches appointed during that period have been Black. Moreover, of the 19 coaches who were dismissed after their first full season, eight, or 42%, were Black. Cowboys special teams player C.J. Goodwin said, “It’s hard not to feel disheartened. There’s a clear capability among Black coaches to succeed. … We don’t want a glass ceiling.” Conversely, Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce echoed the sentiments of 58% of surveyed players who felt the statistics were surprising but not outright discouraging, remarking, “It is indeed a revelation when you contemplate the numbers.”
As the current season commenced, there were seven Black head coaches: holdover Mike McDaniel of the Dolphins, Todd Bowles from the Buccaneers, DeMeco Ryans of the Texans, and Mike Tomlin of the Steelers, alongside newcomers Antonio Pierce of the Raiders, Jerod Mayo from the Patriots, and Raheem Morris of the Falcons. Unfortunately, both Pierce and Mayo were dismissed in January, leaving one of six offseason hires—Aaron Glenn of the Jets—as a Black coach. Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas observed, “It’s still like a rarity to witness a Black coach in the league, which is predominantly Black. I firmly believe there should be more representation.”
Brandon Brown from the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) mentioned that there’s a natural inclination among players to feel concerned about the various coaching dynamics. “It’s essential to continuously make progress. Any signs of regression can feel quite disheartening,” Brown stated. In contrast to other professional sports leagues, the NBA features 37% of their teams with Black head coaches, whereas only three of 30 Major League Baseball teams and just one Black coach in the NHL have been recorded.
Around 40% of NFL players surveyed expressed an aspiration to be a head coach, while others considered roles as assistants or positions at college or youth levels. Notably, over 90% responded positively regarding the recent appointments of Black head coaches, with three new full-time positions comprising the highest count since 2000. The implementation of the NFL’s Rooney Rule in 2003, devised to enhance diversity in coaching and front office roles, mandates clubs to interview minority candidates. “The Rooney Rule is commendable,” said McLaurin, “but I’ve heard that some organizations tend to use it superficially, which detracts from its intended purpose.”
This issue features prominently in a lawsuit filed by former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who alleged discriminatory hiring practices within the league. Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward reflected on the original intent behind the Rooney Rule and voiced discontent about teams seemingly circumventing it by appointing candidates irrespective of minority status merely to satisfy diversity criteria. “Recent searches by the Patriots and Jaguars raised eyebrows due to interviews that seemed performative in nature,” he noted. In response, Goodell highlighted the importance of thorough and genuine interview processes, ensuring that the league addresses these concerns adequately.
Discussions surrounding the lack of Black head coaches often link back to broader societal issues, as Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton remarked about the role of networking and nepotism in coaching. “It’s a challenging path for Black individuals in the league. There’s a historical context where white head coaches have transferred advantages to their sons, creating an invisible barrier for Black aspirants,” Hamilton said, emphasizing that, “Opportunities often hinge more on connections than on competency.”
These discussions underscore the urgent need to address representation at all levels, particularly in leadership roles, to foster a more inclusive environment within the NFL.
