2 Black NFL Head Coaches to Superbowl XLI!!!

[shinerbock]

Not to rain on the parade, but I think it's a stupid discussion. I mean, its fine to be excited about it, but I do think it is dumb when people act like this is some victory in the fight against discrimination. I'm pretty excited that there are two white SEC QB's in the Super Bowl.

[DeltAlum]

Considering that it wasn't all that long ago that there were no black NFL head coaches at all, I think that this is a nice milestone and worthy of note.

I think the first was Art Shell in 1989, hired by the Raiders. But I'm not an NFL historian.

[shinerbock]

I agree, not having any would be rather suspicious. However, we don't need an exact percentage for things to be fair. This stuff goes on in college coaching, and its ridiculous. Alabama got crapped all over for not hiring Sylvester Croom, who may not even be the coach at Miss State much longer. If the ability is there, they'll get a shot. I have a tough time believing that organizations are purposefully avoiding black coaches. Then again maybe they are, just like NFL scouts avoid white running backs.

[DeltAlum]

Well, the NFL became the official name of an already existing league in the early 1920's -- and the first black head coach wasn't named until almost 1990.

So, were there no qualified black head coaches for the first nearly seventy years of the league?

I can't believe that.

But that's not the point of this thread.

My opinion still is that this is a worthy milestone to note.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Well, the NFL became the official name of an already existing league in the early 1920's -- and the first black head coach wasn't named until almost 1990.

So, were there no qualified black head coaches for the first nearly seventy years of the league?

I can't believe that.

But that's not the point of this thread.

My opinion still is that this is a worthy milestone to note.

Well, I think more likely during most of that time there weren't many black coaches at all. Not that they would have been allowed to coach in the NFL if they were around. Like I said, its good that things are more open now, but I don't think we need all the rhetoric to go with it.

[abaici]

I'm so tired of people telling other people what and who they should celebrate or what should be important to them.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by abaici

I'm so tired of people telling other people what and who they should celebrate or what should be important to them.

Yeah. But I think this thread started with people who were happy just saying they were happy.

I think the element of direction came in only when others jumped in saying that they didn't think it was anything to be happy about.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I think the element of direction came in only when others jumped in saying that they didn't think it was anything to be happy about.

That's what she's referring to.

[blackngoldengrl]

I was very excited and proud (not that I had any hand in it) to see this. Also, my Pittsburgh-born roommate was excited about the new Steelers coach.
I would also be proud if someone from my college were playing in the Superbowl, but they're not.

[shinerbock]

DSTS, I'm alright, thanks.

[Sistermadly]

Canada did it first in 2005.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by Sistermadly

You mean we don't? Darn, and that's the reason I joined an NPC sorority in the first place....

Infiltration? Spies?

Originally Posted by CrimsonTide4

I know the author of this article and his wife!

It's an interesting read. Where do you know them from? (I'm nosey)

Originally Posted by Sistermadly

Canada did it first in 2005.

Canada's so progressive. Universal healthcare and coaches.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by Sistermadly

Canada did it first in 2005.

Haha, let's not compare Canadian football to the NFL.

And Delt, you are correct, Art Shell was the first, with the Raiders.

[KSig RC]

An aside:

It's a well-known (and cited) fact that, although the overwhelming majority of players in the NFL are black, fewer coaches are black.

However, the 'breakdown' of coaches, compared to the overall racial breakdown of the nation, is closer/more similar.

Which should be the benchmark? Is there a middle ground? Does the coaching 'pool' more closely mirror the pool of players, or society at large?

[Sistermadly]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Haha, let's not compare Canadian football to the NFL.

I wasn't. I was comparing the historical record. Traditionally speaking, African American coaches (and quarterbacks) have found it much easier to get ahead in the CFL than in the NFL.