Articles
February 10, 2011
"A CHANGE HAS FINALLY COME"
Feb. 10, 2011
The month of February means one thing to most NCAA Division I football coaches: the national letter of intent occurs on the first Wednesday of the month. For the Black Coaches and Administrators association (BCA), February also marks the beginning of Black History Month. The combination of the collegiate national letter, the recently held NFL's Super Bowl XLV and Black History Month has inspired me, as executive director of the BCA, to acknowledge a positive change in collegiate sports: the equitable hiring of ethnic minorities in collegiate football which has become a trend in the past two seasons.
In retrospect, during the past hiring cycle of NCAA Division I football (includes both Football Bowl Subdivision and Football Championship Subdivision); the BCA acknowledges a significant change on the landscape of collegiate sports: the realization of equity in collegiate football hiring. 9* of the 28 (32%) searches conducted in 2011 selected a coach of color. Six head football coaches of color were appointed on the FBS level during this 2011 hiring cycle: Jon Embree (BCS-Colorado), Darrell Hazel (Kent State), Mike Haywood (BCS-Pittsburgh), James Franklin (BCS-Vanderbilt), Don Treadwell (Miami University) and David Shaw (BCS-Stanford). Four of the FBS hires included BCS (Bowl Championship Series) level schools. The BCS hiring is significant because it provides a reasonable opportunity to compete for a BCS national championship. Three head coaches were hired on the FCS level: Ernest Collins (Northern Colorado), Jason Swepson (Elon) and Ron Dickerson Jr (Gardner-Webb). The FCS hires pushed the final Division I hiring total to nine for 2011. The results of the 2011 hiring cycle and the previous success of 2010 are remarkable considering the past history. How has this success been realized?
The BCA began releasing our funded hiring report card of NCAA Division I football in 2003. In 2003, the FBS had only three head football coaches of color. In 2003, the NFL also established the "Rooney Rule" which was forged by the hands of the Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA). The accountability of the BCA report card coincided with the formulation of NCAA football professional development academies. The academies were inspired by the foresight of late NCAA president, Dr. Myles Brand, and came to fruition in 2004. All of the aforementioned voices harmonized with the ever present song of equity in hiring which was continuously performed by the voice of Dr. Richard Lapchick, the esteemed director of the DeVos Sports Business program at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Lapchick, considered by many as "the racial conscience of sport" provided countless reports on diversity and inclusion.
The current 18 head coaches of color on the sidelines of FBS institutions when added to the ten (10) head coaches of color in the FCS (excluding historically black colleges and universities) has taken the number of ethnic minority head football coaches in NCAA Division I football to a record total of 28. A remarkable story has unfolded; especially since 2009. Yes, the BCA believes the BCA hiring report card has played a significant role and has positively influenced this historic breakthrough in equitable hiring practices. The following facts paint a clear picture of the progress:
1) From 2003 to present (7 years), beginning with the initial BCA report card, 54% (27/50) of the ethnic minority coaches ever hired on the FBS level have been named as head football coach. Prior to the BCA report card, it took 24 years to account for the remaining 46% (23) which began with the first ever appointment of Willie Jefferies at Wichita State (1979)through the hiring of Karl Dorrell at UCLA (2003).
2) In the past five year hiring cycle (2007-2011), 48% (24) of the appointments have occurred.
3) In the past two years, 14 appointments have occurred; doubling the number of head coaches who began the 2009 football season on the FBS level.
4) Since the first BCA report in 2003, there has been a 600% increase in the number of FBS head football coaches from three to a current all-time high of 18.
While change has occurred, of utmost concern is how to maintain this momentum. In order to carry on this progress, it is important to know the history of the path traveled. The hiring increases are the direct result of the collective efforts of many who have chosen to stand up for justice and not block its path. The aforementioned facts clearly establish the value of the annual BCA Football Hiring Report Card and its positive influence on the landscape of equitable hiring in collegiate football. The BCA report card is one piece of the success formula. Positive change has been achieved because of the chorus of blended voices harmonized into one song; sung by everyone who has stood up for justice and did not block its path.
The executive office of the NCAA plays a significant role in the promotion and funding of this cause. The NCAA has provided outstanding football professional development academies via the previous Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which is now entitled Leadership Development in a recent NCAA restructuring. The NCAA Future Coaches Academy, the NCAA Expert Coaches Forum and the NCAA Champions Forum have been conducted for NCAA future head football coaches. Nine of the current Division I head football coaches have attended one or more of the NCAA football professional development programs; two Division II head coaches and three Division III head coaches have participated as well.
Dr. Richard Lapchick has been at the forefront in bringing equitable hiring into the social conscience of America. Dr. Lapchick, a human rights activist, pioneer for racial equality, internationally recognized expert on sports issues, scholar and author, is often described as "the racial conscience of sport." He brought his commitment to equality and his belief that sport can be an effective instrument of positive social change to the University of Central Florida where he accepted an endowed chair in August 2001. He is a regular columnist for ESPN.com and The Sports Business Journal. He has written 16 books, more than 550 articles and has given more than 2,800 public speeches on the subject.
The voice of retired and future Hall of Fame NFL head football coach Tony Dungy is significant. Tony has both the resume and the platform to not only state the case for the equitable hiring issue; but he is a proven product of coaching and a respected spokesman. He serves as a valued resource to many collegiate administrators who wisely seek his input.
Winning and success has always been important in sports; it is why we keep score. It is important for every current collegiate and professional head football coach of color to be successful in all areas of the perceived perfect coaching model. A winning record will always influence hiring. When coaches of color are successful in all of the common denominators of the successful coaching formula, the likelihood of being selected in search process greatly increases.
Coaches of color are experiencing success. Mike Tomlin's return to Super Bowl XLV with the Pittsburgh Steelers marked the fifth appearance by an African-American head coach in the Super Bowl in the last five years. Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin both have claimed Super Bowl championships. In 2009, three coaches of color took FBS teams to a bowl games; in 2010, the number more than doubled as seven 3 coaches guided teams to FBS bowls. Three FCS coaches participated in the most recent NCAA FCS playoffs: Brian Jenkins (Bethune Cookman), Buddy Pugh (South Carolina State) and Tony Samuel (SE Missouri State); and Robby Long (DePauw) led his team to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance (FPA), led by John Wooten, has advocated successfully for the hiring and promotion of minority candidates in both the NFL and the NCAA. The NFL is a fertile ground of previous college coaches who departed the NCAA for the opportunities of the NFL; but still entertain visions of returning to the NCAA in leadership roles as head coach and key level assistant positions.
The NFL's adopted Rooney Rule has influenced the NCAA as well. Clearly, the Rooney Rule has made a difference in the National Football League by providing African Americans opportunities in a short period of time. The successes of the NFL head coaches have greatly influenced the opportunities on the collegiate landscape for coaches of color. The impact of the positive media exposure of Dungy, Lovie Smith, Mike Tomlin and Jim Caldwell can never be underestimated.
Dutch Baughman, president of the Division IA Athletic Directors, has maintained and reinforced an adopted "Acceptable Standards" hiring policy for Division 1A programs to follow by outlining a prescribed and appropriate standard to administer an inclusive and equitable hiring process on the collegiate level. The standards within this policy had roots within the guidelines of the "Rooney Rule".
The efforts of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) commissioners to familiarize high level minority assistant football coaches with conference athletic directors during the annual "Fiesta Bowl Frolic" has made a difference in the establishment of relationships between collegiate administrators and potential candidates. While this event is conducted "under the radar", the results have been significant because of the invaluable networking established between presidents, athletic directors and coaches.
The passage of Oregon House Bill 3118 in 2009 was important. Initially, this bill was spearheaded by the concerns of a private citizen, Sam Sachs. It was embraced by key figures in the Oregon State legislature and eventually became law. This legislation is similar to the NFL's Rooney Rule and applies to all state colleges as a guideline for hiring in athletics. Similar legislation is now before the state legislatures of Alabama, Florida, Indiana and Oklahoma.
For change to continue, all of the aforementioned voices must maintain their passion for this effort. History provides a widow to the past, as well as a blueprint for the future. If all of the aforementioned stakeholders will continue to stand up for justice and not block the steady path of progress, we will arrive at the same end as the previous 80's debate over the "black quarterback". I envision the time, in the foreseeable future, when this equity in hiring issue will fade from the agendas of the sports writers and talk show hosts. Like the social injustice of the black quarterback debate, it will be forever buried in the graveyard of misconception and ignorance.
*9: reflects the double hiring process for the University of Pittsburgh which included the hiring and termination of an ethnic minority coach resulting in two searches for the 2011 hiring cycle.
HISTORICAL COMPOSITE OF MINORITY HEAD FOOTBALL COACHES HIRED AT NCAA FBS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Current through conclusion of the 2011 hiring cycle (Dr. Fitzgerald Hill, 2010) (Floyd Keith updated 2/7/11)
1. Willie Jefferies Wichita State 1979-82 21-32-0
2. Dennis Green Northwestern 1981-85 10-45-0
3. Cleve Bryant Ohio University 1985-89 09-44-2
4. Wayne Nunnely Las Vegas 1986-91 19-25-0
5. Francis Peay Northwestern 1986-91 13-51-1
6. Dennis Green Stanford 1989-91 16-18-0 (26-63-0)#
7. Willie Brown Long Beach State 1991 02-08-2
8. James Caldwell Wake Forest 1992-00 26-63-0
9. Ron Cooper Eastern Michigan 1993-94 09-13-0
10. Ron Dickerson Temple 1993-97 08-47-0
11. Matt Simon Univ. of No. Texas 1994-97 17-26-1
12. Ron Cooper Louisville 1995-97 13-20-0 (22-33-0)#
13. Bob Simmons Oklahoma State 1995-00 29-37-1
14. Tyrone Willingham Stanford 1995-01 43-35-1
15. John Blake Oklahoma 1996-98 11-21-0
16. Tony Samuel New Mexico State 1997-04 27-52-0
17. Jerry Baldwin Louisiana Lafayette 1999-01 06-27-0
18. Bobby Williams Michigan State 1999-02 16-17-0
19. Fitzgerald Hill San Jose State 2001-04 14-33-0
20. Tyrone Willingham Notre Dame 2002-04 21-15-0
21. Karl Dorrell UCLA 2003-07 35-25-0
22. Sylvester Croom Mississippi State 2004-08 21-38-0
23. Tyrone Willingham Washington 2005-08 11-37-0 (95-97-1)#
24. Ron Prince Kansas State 2006-08 17-20-0
25. Turner Gill Buffalo 2006-09 20-30-0
26. Randy Shannon Miami 2007-09 21-17-0
27. Dewayne Walker+ UCLA 2007 00-01-0 +
28. Kevin Sumlin* Univ. of Houston 2008-09 18-09-0
29. Mike Locksley* New Mexico 2009 01-11-0
30. Ron English* Eastern Michigan 2009 00-12-0
31. Michael Haywood Miami (Ohio) 2009-10 01-11-0
32. DeWayne Walker* New Mexico State 2009 03-10-0
33. Ruffin McNeil# Texas Tech 2009 01-00-0#
34. Willie Taggert * Western Kentucky 2010 2-10
35. Larry Porter* Univ. of Memphis 2010 1-11
36. Mike London* Virginia 2010 4-8
37. Charlie Strong* Louisville 2010 7-6
38. Turner Gill* Kansas 2010 3-9
39. Ruffin McNeil* East Carolina 2010 6-7
40. Joker Phillips* Kentucky 2010 6-7
41. Don Treadwell@ Michigan State 2010 2-0
42. Barry Alvarez^ Univ. of Wisconsin 1990-2005 118-73-4
43. Mario Cristobal* Florida Int'l Univ. 2007 11-32-0
44. John Embree* University of Colorado 2011 First season
45. Darrell Hazel* Kent State 2011 First season
46. Mike Haywood University of Pittsburg 2011 Released after 3 weeks
47. James Franklin* Vanderbilt 2011 First season
48. Don Treadwell* Miami University 2011 First season
49. David Shaw* Stanford University 2011 First season
50. Ken Niumatalolo*$ Navy 2007 27-14
Note. * Indicates that the coach is currently employed at the institution.
# Indicates the total head coaching record at Division I-A institutions.
+ Served as interim head coach for Las Vegas Bowl after Karl Dorrell was relieved as head coach at the completion of the 2007 regular season.
# Served as interim head coach for the 2010 Alamo Bowl after Mike Leach was terminated prior to the game.
@ Served as interim head coach for two games in 2010 season, while head coach Mark Dantonio recovered from a heart attack.
^ Barry Alvarez and Mario Cristobal are Latino
$ Ken Niumatalolo is Polynesian