Football Coaches: The Hiring Process

[dlk9s]

I had the opportunity to speak with Ray Anderson, then VP of the Atlanta Falcons and now (I believe) NFL Executive VP of Football Operations. I asked him why the rule was in place that NFL teams had to interview a black coach. This was right around the time that the Lions were hiring Steve Mariucci - they knew he was the guy they wanted and didn't bother giving other interviews. Seemed to make sense. If the coach who you really want is available, why go through a bunch of token interviews?

What Mr. Anderson said made sense. It's not that a black coach will get interviewed, blow everyone away, and get hired. Of course, that might happen (Jim Mora, Jr. surprised the Falcons in his interview - I don't believe he was the front-runner at the time), but it typically won't if it's essentially a "courtesy" interview.

The importance of interviewing a black coach is for that coach's advancement down the road. When teams are looking to fill a coaching vacancy, they will talk to other executives and coaches around the league to get some input. If, say, the Lions had interviewed a black coach even though they knew they were going to hire Mariucci, they still might have been very impressed with that coach as the result of the interview. When another team calls Matt Millen to ask if he has any recommendations, that interviewee's name very well could come up. Then, that coach will get the chance to legitimately interview for a head coaching spot.

Additionally, people who were involved in the interview process will inevitably take positions with other teams. When those teams have new openings, they will remember the coach who really impressed them in the "courtesy" interview and possibly give him a shot at the job.

Plus, the "token" interview allows the candidate to gain experience interviewing for a head coaching position and get feedback so he can go into the next interview better prepared.

Basically, it's all about networking and contacts. Giving someone a chance to make a positive impression now (even if there is no real intention to hire the guy) can help them in the future as the good word spreads.

[damaniac]

The networking thing is a great point, and I think shows some of the weakness in the "cream will rise to the top" theory. The NFL hires many retreads (Norv Turner, come on down!) over and over, not necessarily because they're any better than anyone else but because they're in, people know them, feel comfortable with them, etc. So you have to do things like this to break the cycle and get more black people into the upper circles. Then they too can be tired wornout retreads, passed from team to team without merit, like many white coaches. And then we will have overcome our race problem in NFL coaching.

[aditya]

[ QUOTE ]
I had the opportunity to speak with Ray Anderson, then VP of the Atlanta Falcons and now (I believe) NFL Executive VP of Football Operations. I asked him why the rule was in place that NFL teams had to interview a black coach. This was right around the time that the Lions were hiring Steve Mariucci - they knew he was the guy they wanted and didn't bother giving other interviews. Seemed to make sense. If the coach who you really want is available, why go through a bunch of token interviews?

What Mr. Anderson said made sense. It's not that a black coach will get interviewed, blow everyone away, and get hired. Of course, that might happen (Jim Mora, Jr. surprised the Falcons in his interview - I don't believe he was the front-runner at the time), but it typically won't if it's essentially a "courtesy" interview.

The importance of interviewing a black coach is for that coach's advancement down the road. When teams are looking to fill a coaching vacancy, they will talk to other executives and coaches around the league to get some input. If, say, the Lions had interviewed a black coach even though they knew they were going to hire Mariucci, they still might have been very impressed with that coach as the result of the interview. When another team calls Matt Millen to ask if he has any recommendations, that interviewee's name very well could come up. Then, that coach will get the chance to legitimately interview for a head coaching spot.

Additionally, people who were involved in the interview process will inevitably take positions with other teams. When those teams have new openings, they will remember the coach who really impressed them in the "courtesy" interview and possibly give him a shot at the job.

Plus, the "token" interview allows the candidate to gain experience interviewing for a head coaching position and get feedback so he can go into the next interview better prepared.

Basically, it's all about networking and contacts. Giving someone a chance to make a positive impression now (even if there is no real intention to hire the guy) can help them in the future as the good word spreads.

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this is a very very good post.

[The B]

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The importance of interviewing a black coach is for that coach's advancement down the road. When teams are looking to fill a coaching vacancy, they will talk to other executives and coaches around the league to get some input.

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This is what I don't understand...white, black, latino, etc coaches all want interviews to help with advancement down the road, so why is it only neccessary for black coaches??? this doesn't make sense...why is there no White Coaches Association? or Mexican Coaches Association?


Edit: great post dlk9s

[ClarkNasty]

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why is there no White Coaches Association

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How old are you?

[The B]

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why is there no White Coaches Association

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How old are you?

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old enough to know this is [censored] and that it won't be long before Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are heading up search committes for head coaches

[Gregatron]

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why is there no White Coaches Association

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How old are you?

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old enough to know this is [censored] and that it won't be long before Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are heading up search committes for head coaches

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You know, I can't help get mad when I think about how badly white males have it in this country.

[damaniac]

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why is there no White Coaches Association?

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I'd guess because there's no history of widespread discrimination against white people in this country such that there are almost no white people in certain high profile jobs. If inertia is part of the continuing problem, then you need to do more than "nothing" to remedy it. Norv Turner doesn't need help getting consideration.

[The B]

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Norv Turner doesn't need help getting consideration.

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no, but young assistant coaches and coordinators that are chomping at the bit for their chance at a head coaching position do (ie Eric Mangini 2 years ago or Kiffman last year)

[Pudge714]

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When another team calls Matt Millen to ask if he has any recommendations, he should instantly get fired

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