Racism? Stephen A. Smith Accuses Commanders In Coach Kliff Kingsbury Hire

Racism? ESPN's Stephen A. Smith Accuses Washington Commanders In Coach Kliff Kingsbury Hire

LAS VEGAS - Stephen A. Smith is leveling a racism-related charge at the Washington Commanders in the wake of their hiring of Kliff Kingsbury as the new offensive coordinator.

"From a historical perspective, we look at a guy like Kliff Kingsbury and you know what we see as black folks? This is the kind of stuff that don't happen for black folks," Smith said on ESPN.

Kingsbury, 44, previously served as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and was once in that role at Texas Tech. Most recently he was an assistant coach role at USC.

He was once considered a rising star and is now working to rebuild that reputation, and will get a chance to do so under new coach Dan Quinn.

Are there racial matters at play here? Smith, the loudest voice at ESPN and maybe the loudest voice in all of sports media, is obviously suggesting that Kingsbury being white led him to get this opportunity.

Stephen A. Smith on Kliff Kingsbury continuing to get jobs based on his relationships and not his football resume: "This is the kind of stuff that doesn't happen for Black folks" pic.twitter.com/ieYGmTVqu0

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 5, 2024

Some may argue that the situation is more complicated that that, and that a wider lens might be needed in assessing the NFL's hiring practices here. One consideration: Kingsbury worked with possible top draft pick Caleb Williams, the USC quarterback - and Washington has the No. 2 overall pick in this NFL Draft.

Commanders Trading Up For USC QB Caleb Williams After Hiring Kingsbury?

Meanwhile, of the seven head coach openings in this cycle, four were filled by people of color.

“It’s tremendously significant," said Adrien Bouchet, director of The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports and author of this year’s NFL report card on hiring. "This year, it seems like it’s moved the needle pretty well."

Additionally, involved in this story as we examine whether the Commanders harbor a racist climate: The previous head coach and coordinator are Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy, both people of color. Part of the ownership group that helped select new head coach Quinn is Magic Johnson, who is Black. And Quinn's pick as his top defensive aide is Joe Whitt Jr., who is Black and who will be a first-time coordinator.

Nevertheless, Smith sees a problem. 

"It doesn't seem to me there are bonafide football reasons as to why Kliff Kingsbury is the new offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders," he said.