I remember when the news of the first black head coach in the NFL broke, everyone was so excited! It was a huge moment in history and one that really shifted the narrative of the NFL. I was elated! It was an incredible moment to witness, and one that had many implications socially and culturally.
The NFL has been one of the few professional sports leagues without a single black head coach. But that all changed when the Miami Dolphins promoted Brian Flores to the position in 2018. After him came the New York Jets with Adam Gase, the Washington Football Team with Ron Rivera, the Atlanta Falcons with Arthur Smith and the Los Angeles Chargers with Brandon Staley. It was incredible that in one year five black head coaching hires had been made!
Despite the historic decisions that were made, sadly only one of them is still in their current head coaching position. But that doesn’t diminish what an incredible victory that was for black people across the United States. It was ore than just a moment; it was a representation that black voices mattered within the organization and that we had a seat at the table.
Even though the numbers seem low, having only 6 black head coaches in the entire NFL is a huge success story. Think about all of the impact that each of those coaches has already made. They have all pushed the league to be more inclusive, more tolerant and more accepting of different voices. It is a huge step forward in the right direction.
Now, more than ever, we need to see more black coaches in the NFL. There is so much talent out there and so many voices that are not currently being represented. It is time for the NFL to realize the power that diversity brings and to invest in hiring more black coaches. It’s the only way that the league will continue to evolve and remain successful.
The power of mentorship and learning is something that cannot be understated. The ability to have more black coaches in the NFL provides a platform for further development for aspiring young players and coaches. It allows for communal support and growth in the league, and that is something that cannot be overlooked.
I also think that it is important to remember that having black coaches in the NFL is about more than just numbers. It is about providing an opportunity for a group of people who have been historically under-represented. It is about ensuring all voices are heard and that everyone has a seat at the table.
It is imperative that the NFL continues to invest in hiring more black coaches. Increased numbers enable the league to ensure older voices can be heard and new voices can be represented. A more diverse team of coaches leads to better decision making and expanded perspectives.
It is also important to create opportunities in the NFL for black coaches who may never have the chance to become head coaches. By investing in assistant coaches, scouts and personnel directors, a range of voices are allowed to have an invaluable impact on the NFL.
Finally, it is important for the NFL to continue to spread the message of the importance of diversity and inclusion across the board. More than just hiring, it’s essential for the organization to create an atmosphere of acceptance and understanding. This opens the door for more inclusive conversations and allows for more education on race, bias and privilege.
It is more important now than ever for the NFL to ensure they hire more black coaches. This doesn’t just benefit the league as a whole, it has a long-lasting and meaningful impact across communities, cities and people. We need the NFL to recognize and invest in the power of black coaches now.