Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith and the Next Hurdle for NFL Rooney Rule Graduates

January 21, 2011   ·   David Burnett   ·   Jump to comments

Coach worship is a virtual religion in this country. It’s a key pillar in our understanding and enjoyment of sports.
The best example of coach worship might be the reverence we hold for the Green Bay Packers' legendary head coach Vince Lombardi, who is perhaps football’s greatest coaching icon, and deservedly so. The Super Bowl trophy is named for Lombardi.
But rarely if ever do I read, watch or hear about real coaching excellence or genius when it comes to the assessment of minority coaches.
The NFL’s “Rooney Rule” was established to increase the pool of head coaching candidates. Thanks to the rule, minority coaches, mostly African-American, now have a chance to interview with owners and general managers looking to fill head coaching vacancies. Because of the rule there are in fact more minority head coaches in the NFL.
But some who are quick to dismiss and belittle see the Rooney Rule as merely a gimmick, a way to placate the minority...

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