HBCU Legends

Is the NFL Black Head Coach In a 'No-Win' Situation?

Sadly, the current state of the NFL has the black head coach in a "no-win" situation.

Kyle T. Mosley

It's 2022.  Have NFL owners have regressed in the treatment of African American head coaches? 

Pittsburgh Steelers' leader Mike Tomlin stands as the NFL's lone black coach after David Culley (Houston Texans) and Brian Flores (Miami Dolphins) were recently given pink slips this week.  The firings have many believing it's a "no-win" situation for black head coaches as well as executives.

Frustrations are boiling over where fans of all races have taken issue with the manner black coaches are shown the door. 

WHY NO LENIENCY?

Why are most NFL owners and general managers more likely to fire a minority coach and show leniency to other underperforming coaches?  

David Culley and Steve Wilks (Arizona Cardinals) are examples of where ownership and front-office personnel have shown little patience. Culley walked into a situation where his Pro Bowl quarterback, the top defensive leader and pass rusher, and several other starters via trades and free agency. Regardless, his injury-plagued starting signal-caller and a rookie quarterback won four games in 2021. 

After 33 games in Carolina. Head coach Matt Rhule could only muster notch 10 wins for owner David Tepper and general manager Scott Fitterer. Tepper desired a new culture, instead has rewarded the Panthers faithful by backing a coach with 23 losses.

Houston Texans head coach David Culley
Dec 12, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach David Culley walks the sidelines as the Texans play the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

UNDERPERFORMING COACHES GIVEN CHANCES, NOT BLACK COACHES

Another example of questionable hiring practices was former Jets and Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. Miami's owner Stephen Ross hired Gase and left with a 23-25 record in three seasons.  In New York he posted a losing 9-23 record with numerous questionable in-game play calls in New York.   

Yet, it took Ross three seasons to jettison head coach Brian Flores, who finished his second-consecutive winning season and overall 24-25 record. Ross implied Flores' dismissal was from a power struggle between the coach and general manager Chris Grier. 

Today, the league has three minority head coaches, with Mike Tomlin, Robert Saleh, and Ron Rivera standing firm in their positions. Byron Leftwich, Aaron Glenn, Brian Flores, Eric Bieniemy, and Leslie Frazier are notable names on the radar for teams. Eight openings exist in Chicago, Denver, Miami, New York, Jacksonville, Houston, Minnesota, and possibly Las Vegas. If fewer than three positions aren't filled with minority coaches, it will be a travesty. 

We shall see.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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