How Many Black Coaches In The NFL In 2021?

The number of black head coaches in the NFL has been on the decline in recent years. Here’s a look at how many there are in 2021.

The current number of black head coaches in the NFL

As of the 2021 season, there are currently 4 black head coaches in the NFL. This number represents a decrease from the 2020 season when there were 5 black head coaches. The current black head coaches in the NFL are:

-Anthony Lynn, Los Angeles Chargers
-Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins
-David Culley, Houston Texans
-K Zupke, Jacksonville Jaguars

The history of black head coaches in the NFL

In 2021, the NFL will have 8 black head coaches, the most in league history. The 8 coaches are: Anthony Lynn (Chargers), Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Vance Joseph (Cardinals), Marvin Lewis (Bengals), Hue Jackson (Browns), Todd Bowles (Jets), Dirk Koetter (Buccaneers) and Jay Gruden (Redskins).

This is a significant increase from just a few years ago. In 2002, there were only 2 black head coaches in the NFL. In 2006, that number increased to 4. And in 2009, following the firing of Tony Dungy and Herman Edwards, there were only 3 black head coaches in the NFL.

The hiring of Lewis in 2003 was a watershed moment for black coaches in the NFL. He was the first black coach to be hired by an NFL team that wasn’t required to do so by the league’s “Rooney Rule.” The rule, named after then-Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney, requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching and senior football operations positions.

Since Lewis’ hiring, 11 other black coaches have been hired by NFL teams: Tomlin, Bowles, Joseph, Koetter, Gruden, Lynn, Jackson, Lovie Smith (Bears), Jim Caldwell (Lions), Raheem Morris (Falcons) and Leslie Frazier (Bills). But despite this progress, black coaches still face significant challenges.

There are currently no black offensive coordinators in the NFL. And of the eight black head coaches hired since 2013, five have been fired: Jackson, Bowles, Joseph, Morris and Smith.

The reasons for the lack of black head coaches in the NFL

Despite the NFL’s efforts to increase diversity, the number of black head coaches has actually decreased in recent years. In 2021, there are only four black head coaches out of 32 teams, down from eight in 2011. This lack of diversity is especially concerning given that about 70% of NFL players are black.

There are a number of reasons for the lack of black head coaches in the NFL. One is that many black assistant coaches are not given the same opportunities as their white counterparts to interview for head coaching positions. Another reason is that the pool of qualified black candidates is smaller than the pool of qualified white candidates because there has been a historic lack of investment in developing black coaching talent.

The NFL has taken some steps to try to increase the number of black head coaches, including instituting a “Rooney Rule” that requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching and senior executive positions. However, these efforts have not been fully successful in increasing the number of black head coaches in the NFL.

The possible solutions to increase the number of black head coaches in the NFL

The National Football League (NFL) has seen a decline in the number of black head coaches over the past few years. In 2021, there are only four black head coaches out of 32 teams, which is down from eight in 2017. This decline is concerning to many, as the NFL has been striving to increase diversity in recent years.

There are several possible solutions to this problem. One is to create a “Rooney Rule” for black coaches, named after Pittsburgh Steelers’ owner Dan Rooney, who advocated for increasing the number of minority head coaches in the NFL. This rule would require NFL teams to interview at least one black candidate for coaching vacancies. Another solution is to create an “internship program” for black assistant coaches, similar to what the NBA has done. This would give them more experience and exposure, making them more likely to be hired as head coaches in the future.

The decrease in the number of black head coaches in the NFL is a complex issue with no easy fix. However, if the league is committed to increasing diversity among its coaching ranks, these are two possible solutions that could help address the problem.