Stephen A. Smith Sees Racism in Cowboys Ex Dan Quinn Hire in Washington

Stephen A. Smith Sees Racism in Dallas Cowboys Ex Dan Quinn Hire in Washington

LAS VEGAS - Former Dallas Cowboys top assistant Dan Quinn just oversaw the hiring to his new Washington Commanders of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, a move that has ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith accusing the organization of racism.

"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,'' Smith said.

The Commanders' previous head coach and coordinator are Ron Rivera and Eric Bieniemy, both people of color. Quinn's other top hire is Joe Whitt Jr., 45, who is Black and who will be a first-time defensive coordinator.

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, where he worked with top NFL Draft prospect Caleb Williams, the USC quarterback. Given that Washington has the No. 2 overall pick in this NFL Draft, that may be a factor here.

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

Cowboys BREAKING: Joe Whitt Jr. Cancels Interview, Hired

"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.

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

Meanwhile, of the seven head coach openings in this cycle, four have been filled by people of color, which Adrien Bouchet, director of The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports and author of this year’s NFL report card on hiring calls "tremendously significant.''