Concerns Grow Over Lack of Black Coaches in the NFL

ASHBURN, Va. — The NFL is facing increasing scrutiny regarding its coaching diversity, particularly in the number of Black head coaches. Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin recently reflected on his experiences, noting, “Now that you mention it, I’ve never had a Black head coach in high school, college or the NFL.” This sentiment is shared by many Black players in the league, who remain concerned about the underrepresentation of Black coaches.

A recent survey conducted by the Associated Press revealed that over a third (approximately 36%) of the 65 Black players surveyed expressed feeling discouraged or disappointed with the current coaching landscape. Anthony Walker Jr., a linebacker for the Dolphins, stated that “until you see more coaches, we’re all going to look at it the same way: there aren’t enough Black coaches.”

As the NFL prepares for the Super Bowl matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles—where both starting quarterbacks are Black—none of the teams have Black head coaches. Nick Scott, a safety for the Panthers, pointed out how society has taken time to overcome misconceptions about Black quarterbacks, hoping this will change for coaches too.

The statistics are telling. The NFL is made up of 53.5% Black players as of 2023, while Black head coaches make up only 22% of the total coaching staff at the start of this season—a number that may fall to 19% next year. This disparity has raised eyebrows within the league. “You can’t just overlook that discrepancy,” says McLaurin, stressing the need for more representation in coaching positions.

McLaurin’s Commanders, along with several other teams, have never had a full-time Black head coach, which highlights the ongoing issue of race in hiring practices. According to an AP count spanning from 2000 to 2024, only 18% of new NFL coaches have been Black. Dishearteningly, a significant percentage of these coaches—42%—were dismissed after just one season.

The NFL’s Rooney Rule aims to encourage diversity in coaching by requiring teams to interview minority candidates. However, many players feel that some teams merely comply with this rule to fulfill a requirement, without genuine intention. “The Rooney Rule’s a great rule,” McLaurin remarked, “but … some teams kind of use that to check a box.”

As conversations about diversity continue, Brandon Brown, director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, noted that players are inevitably disappointed by any signs of regression in coaching diversity. “We always need to continue the upward progress,” he stated. “Anytime you see downward progress, it’s a bit discouraging.”

The NFL’s coaching disparity also mirrors trends seen in other major sports leagues, illustrating a broader societal issue regarding race and opportunity. As the league rolls forward, players and analysts alike hope for significant change in hiring practices that would allow more qualified individuals, regardless of race, to have a chance at becoming head coaches.