How Many African-American Head Coaches Are In The NFL?

As of 2019, there are only four African-American head coaches in the NFL. This low number is surprising given that African-Americans make up about 70% of NFL players. Some believe that the low number of African-American head coaches is due to a lack of opportunities and institutional bias. Others believe that African-American coaches simply don’t have the same level of experience as their white counterparts.

The current number of African American head coaches in the NFL

As of the 2019 season, there are only 4 African American head coaches in the NFL out of a total of 32 teams. This number has been steadily declining over the past few years, and many fans and commentators have voiced their concerns about the lack of diversity among NFL coaching staffs. While there are no easy solutions to this problem, it is clear that the NFL needs to do more to promote diversity and inclusion among its teams.

A brief history of African American head coaches in the NFL

The National Football League (NFL) has a long history of African American head coaches, dating back to the league’s founding in 1920. The first black head coach in the NFL was Fritz Pollard, who coached the Akron Pros in 1921. Pollard is also believed to be the first African American coach in any professional sport. Other notable early black head coaches in the NFL include Warren Moon, who coached the Houston Oilers from 1984 to 1987, and Art Shell, who coached the Los Angeles Raiders from 1989 to 1994.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of African American head coaches in the NFL. As of 2018, there are eight African American head coaches in the NFL, representing 22% of all head coaches in the league. These eight coaches are:

-Doug Marrone (Buffalo Bills)
– Vance Joseph (Denver Broncos)
– Anthony Lynn (Los Angeles Chargers)
– Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals)
– Hue Jackson (Cleveland Browns)
– Todd Bowles (New York Jets)
– Steve Wilks (Arizona Cardinals)
– Matt Patricia (Detroit Lions)

The percentage of African American head coaches in the NFL compared to other professional sports leagues

African American head coaches made up 22% of NFL head coaches in 2020, according to a report from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport. This is up from 21% in 2019 and 20% in 2018, but still below the high of 25% set in 2011.

African American head coaches are more prevalent in the NFL than in any other professional sports league. In Major League Baseball, there are just three African American managers out of 30 teams (10%). In the National Basketball Association, there are eight African American head coaches out of 30 teams (27%). And in the National Hockey League, there are no African American head coaches.

The challenges African American head coaches face in the NFL

In 2002, the NFL instituted the “Rooney Rule,” named after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney. The rule requires that teams interview at least one minority candidate for any head coaching or senior football operations position that opens up.

The league has made some progress since then. In 2008, there were eight African American head coaches, the most in NFL history. But that number has since dropped, and as of 2019, there are only four African American head coaches in the NFL.

Some say the Rooney Rule is not working because it doesn’t require teams to hire a minority candidate. Others argue that it’s not being implemented properly. Either way, it’s clear that the NFL still has a long way to go when it comes to diversity among its head coaches.