""I think we have become a more diverse league across every platform including coaching, but we still have more work to do," Goodell said. "There's got to be more steps. We're reevaluating everything we're doing, including the accelerator program, including every aspect of our policies in our program to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow rather than yesterday. We need to be looking at that and why did we have those results this year?""
"Speaking Monday during his annual week of Super Bowl news conference at the San Jose Convention Center, Goodell fielded five questions either directly or tangentially related to the Rooney Rule, which was adopted in 2003 and requires every team with a head-coaching, coordinator or general manager opening to interview at least two minority candidates before it can make a hire. Teams must also interview at least one minority candidate for the position of quarterbacks coach."
The league plans to reevaluate the Rooney Rule and related diversity initiatives, including the accelerator program and policy aspects, to improve future hiring outcomes. The Rooney Rule requires teams with head-coaching, coordinator or general manager openings to interview at least two minority candidates and at least one minority candidate for quarterbacks coach. All teams were reported to be compliant in the recent head-coaching cycle and reportedly interviewed more than the required two minority candidates. Despite compliance, only one minority candidate, Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh, secured a head-coaching job and no Black head coaches were hired this offseason. Heading toward the 2026 season, three Black head coaches remain: DeMeco Ryans, Todd Bowles and Aaron Glenn.
Read at ESPN.com
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