How Many NFL Coaches Are Black?

We take a look at how many NFL coaches are black, and whether or not this is a problem.

The current state of NFL coaching

The Rooney Rule was established in 2003, mandating that NFL teams interview at least one minority candidate for open head coaching and senior football executive positions. Despite an increase in the number of black coaches and executives since the rule’s inception, people of color are still grossly underrepresented in leadership positions within the NFL.

As of 2019, there are only four black head coaches in the NFL out of a total of 32 teams. This means that only 12.5% of NFL teams are currently coached by black people, despite the fact that roughly 70% of NFL players are black. In addition, there are no black majority owners and only two black general managers out of 32 teams.

The lack of diversity amongst NFL leadership is especially troubling given the league’s history of racism and discrimination. The NFL has a long history of excluding black players and preventing them from achieving coaching and executive positions. It wasn’t until 1946 that the league began to allow black players to participate, and even then they were actively discriminated against. Despite this progress, the league still has a long way to go in terms of hiring people of color for leadership positions.

The history of black NFL coaches

The first black head coach in the NFL was Fritz Pollard, who coached the Akron Pros in 1921. Pollard was also the league’s first black quarterback. Other early black head coaches in the NFL include Raymond Johnson (New York Yankees, 1928), Warren Heller ( Brooklyn Dodgers, 1930) and Edward O’Neil (St. Louis Gunners, 1934).

The number of black head coaches in the NFL peaked in 2006, when there were 8 black head coaches. This represented 22% of all NFL head coaches at the time. The current percentage of black head coaches in the NFL is 20%.

The challenges black coaches face in the NFL

In the NFL, African American coaches have been largely marginalized. In 2017, only four percent of NFL head coaches were black, despite the fact that nearly 70 percent of NFL players are black.

The low number of black head coaches is due to a variety of factors. One is the “Rooney Rule,” which requires NFL teams to interview at least one minority candidate for every head coaching vacancy. The rule was implemented in 2003, but it has done little to increase the number of black coaches in the NFL.

Another challenge facing black coaches is the fact that many NFL owners are white and prefer to hire white coaches. This preference often results in qualified black candidates being passed over for less qualified white candidates.

Finally, some believe that racism is still a factor in the NFL when it comes to hiring decisions. While it’s difficult to prove that racism is a factor in hiring decisions, it’s clear that African American coaches have not been given the same opportunities as their white counterparts.

The future of black coaches in the NFL

In 2021, it is estimated that black coaches will make up about 25% of NFL coaches. This is a significant increase from the year 2000, when black coaches only made up about 10% of the NFL coaching ranks. The future looks bright for black coaches in the NFL, with many young and talented coaches making their way up through the ranks.