Cleveland Harris, a renowned NFL running-back coach, dreamed of becoming a head coach, a dream hindered by systemic racism. After the 1996 season, despite 11 coaching vacancies, he was overlooked entirely, reflecting a lack of opportunity for Black coaches. In 1997, Harris spearheaded a pivotal meeting with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue alongside nine Black assistant coaches, advocating for increased consideration of minority candidates for head coach positions. Although he never achieved his own coaching aspirations, his efforts significantly contributed to future advancements for Black coaches in the league. Harris passed away at 79 due to cancer.
After the 1996 season, the league had 11 head coaching vacancies. Harris, who grew up in the Jim Crow South, was never even considered.
In 1997, Harris, known as Chick, led a group of nine Black assistant coaches in a meeting with the league commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, with the aim of finding a system in which minority candidates would be considered for head coaching jobs.
We tried to give the commissioner information about our feelings and tell him how people around the country felt, Harris told reporters afterward.
Although he never fulfilled his dream of being a head coach himself, he pressed the league to make changes that helped open the door for future Black head coaches.
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