The Rooney Rule is a rule that the NFL established in 2003 which requires each organization to interview a minority candidate for a head coaching vacancy or opportunities that may arise in the front office.

 

In '03, the Lions were fined $200,000 for not interviewing a minority candidate.

 

Here is a little more information on the Rooney Rule, if you're interested:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooney_Rule

 

My question for BGP is whether you agree with the rule or not. I understand it's premise. Essentially, it's a type of affirmative action. But, many teams have their candidates (or in some cases their replacement) in line before they fire their current coach.

 

For example, the Seattle Seahawks interviewed Leslie Frazier (Minnesota's def. coordinator) to comply with the Rooney Rule; however, multiple reports indicate that the job has already been given to Pete Carroll.

 

It seems to me that the rules practical effect is to make teams "go through the motion" of interviewing potential "candidates" who they have no intent of hiring. In some instances, I feel it's more of a slight to those candidates who are interested in the job than a compliment towards their coaching ability. The Seahawks, while they may have had true interest in Frazier, know who they want.

 

I'm just interested in BGP's thoughts on the rule. Good? Bad? Effective or not?

 

FWIW, I think Mike Tomlin has been the only minority coach hired since the rule was implemented.

I think the rule was started for a great reason, but most of the time is a joke. I believe a lot of times it is just a slap in the face to the minority coaches that are given a token interview just so the teams comply with the rule. I thought Marvin Lewis was the first minority coach hired since the rule went into effect. I thought I remembered the Bengals organization receiving high praise for the process they went thru in making their decision. I could be wrong, but that was my thinking.

Marvin Lewis was hired on January 14, 2003. The Rooney Rule was implemented in '03, but I don't know the exact date.

I think its stupid. If they truly want things to be equal then they should let people to interview candidates based on their merit, and race should not play a factor. I don't believe this rule will ever have any effect on who teams hire for their head coaches. It's a joke.

Mike Singletary as well.

I like it. I think Marvin Lewis, Romeo Crennel, maybe Lovie Smith, Rahiem Morris, Mike Tomlin are some that possibly benefitted from this rule. I think it allows some minority coaches a chance to get familiar with the interviewing process and it also opens up some teams to minority candidates they may never have even thought of as they already would have had their choices made before interviewing. Some teams will go through the motions like it appears the Seahawks have and that doesn't bother me as now Leslie Frazier is a name that will actually get some consideration when the time comes for someone to interview a new coach.

I think its stupid. If they truly want things to be equal then they should let people to interview candidates based on their merit, and race should not play a factor. .

 

You laid out the exact reason for the rule being implemented.

I thought about this the other day when everything starting coming out about the Seahawks. I think they discriminate more by making specific rules for minorities. If they are qualified, they don't need extra rules. This is not the 50's and 60's. Owners know that blacks are just as of not more qualified for jobs.

I thought about this the other day when everything starting coming out about the Seahawks. I think they discriminate more by making specific rules for minorities. If they are qualified, they don't need extra rules. This is not the 50's and 60's. Owners know that blacks are just as of not more qualified for jobs.

 

Do you know what the owners are thinking for sure or are you just speculating? Just because you think that way doesn't mean a 70 year old owner who grew up in the 50's and 60's thinks that way.

Do you know what the owners are thinking for sure or are you just speculating? Just because you think that way doesn't mean a 70 year old owner who grew up in the 50's and 60's thinks that way.

 

Doesn't matter. If there are old owners that still feel that way, the rule only requires that you interview blacks, not hire them. When a black coach is hired, it's because they were qualified and the owner believed in them.

It is a great rule. Opportunity is all anyone can ask for. For too long, opportunity was denied to qualified candidates because of their race and we had a recycling of coaches. Many coaches have benefited because of this rule and I think that the NCAA needs to adopt a similar policy.

Doesn't matter. If there are old owners that still feel that way, the rule only requires that you interview blacks, not hire them. When a black coach is hired, it's because they were qualified and the owner believed in them.

 

Exactly, and without the Rooney Rule, a lot of black coaches may have never even been given the chance to interview.

Exactly, and without the Rooney Rule, a lot of black coaches may have never even been given the chance to interview.

 

Only from certain coaches, and if those coaches weren't going to hire someone because of their race, they are not going to hire them after they are made to. I truly believe that if an organization hires a black coach, they would have hired them regardless.

It is a great rule. Opportunity is all anyone can ask for. For too long, opportunity was denied to qualified candidates because of their race and we had a recycling of coaches. Many coaches have benefited because of this rule and I think that the NCAA needs to adopt a similar policy.

 

 

I have no problem with the rule.

 

I do have an issue with the thinking that opportunities should be given, opportunities are earned. I am talking in generalities not to the Rooney rule or to the ability of the candidates interviewed.

 

 

According to Sundays Cincy Enquirer the Redskins and Seattle have met the requirements of the Rooney Rule. It also speaks of how the Rooney Rule was key for Tomlin getting the job in Pittsburg when everyone thought it would go to Russ Grimm.

Only from certain coaches, and if those coaches weren't going to hire someone because of their race, they are not going to hire them after they are made to. I truly believe that if an organization hires a black coach, they would have hired them regardless.

 

I think every situation is different and that some coaches interviewed because of the Rooney Rule benefitted because they likely wouldn't have been interviewed if the rule wasn't in place.