Smh
Sources: Texans hiring Culley as head coach
The Texans have hired Ravens assistant David Culley to be their next head coach, sources told ESPN, confirming a report by the Houston Chronicle.www.espn.com
Houston Texans hire Baltimore Ravens' David Culley as head coach, sources say
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- Sarah BarshopESPN Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans have hired Baltimore Ravens assistant David Culley to be their next head coach, sources told ESPN, confirming a report by the Houston Chronicle.
Culley, 65, who has spent the past two seasons in Baltimore, just completed his 27th season as an NFL coach. Along with serving as the team's assistant head coach, Culley was Baltimore's passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. The Ravens finished the 2020 season ranked last in the NFL in passing.
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"David is just a genuine guy," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in a text to ESPN's Ed Werder. "He will be who he is everyday. Has been that guy every day of his career. I'm thrilled for him. Great person. Genuine. Full of energy."
Harbaugh had previously called the Texans' opening a "great opportunity" and said he believed Culley "would be a tremendous hire for any team, maybe, especially, the Texans with Deshaun Watson."
EDITOR'S PICKS
The Ravens will receive two third-round compensatory picks (one in 2021 and another in 2022) for Culley getting hired from their staff. This comes from a resolution adopted in November that is meant to incentivize NFL teams to develop and hire minority candidates for head-coaching and general manager positions.
- Grading NFL head-coaching hires: Can Nick Sirianni fix Carson Wentz?
- Barnwell creates trade offers for Deshaun Watson: Ranking all 17 from least to most likely
- Mayor: Praying Watson, Texans can stick together
Culley will join Robert Saleh of the New York Jets, Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team as active minority head coaches in the league.
Culley has never been an offensive coordinator at the NFL level. He was also an assistant head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013 to '16, and spent the 2017 and '18 seasons as the Buffalo Bills' quarterbacks coach. When the Ravens hired Culley in 2019, Harbaugh said the coach was highly respected "as a teacher, game-planner and motivator."
When the Texans fired head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien in October, Houston became the first team with an opening for either position. The Texans hired Nick Caserio as their new general manager earlier this month and gave him the reins to their head-coaching search.
David Culley's Prior Coaching Stops
Along with Culley, Houston interviewed Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell, Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and current Texans quarterback Josh McCown after Caserio took over. The Texans also interviewed Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley before he was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers.
SEASONS TEAM ROLE 2019-20 Ravens assistant head coach/passing game coordinator/WR coach 2017-18 Bills QB coach 2013-16 Chiefs assistant head coach/WR coach 1999-2012 Eagles primarily WR coach, also senior offensive assistant from 2011-12 1996-98 Steelers WR coach 1994-95 Buccaneers WR coach -- ESPN Stats & Information
Amid the Texans' coaching search, sources told ESPN that Watson was not happy with the process the organization used to hire Caserio. And sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that regardless of whom the Texans hired as their next head coach, Watson's desire to be traded was not expected to change.
The Texans are coming off a 4-12 season, one in which Watson played the best football of his NFL career. The fourth-year quarterback set career highs in touchdowns, passing yards and completion percentage. He also threw a career-low seven interceptions.
NFL: Staggering numbers show NFL's minority coaching failure - Rooney Rule Update: BIENIEMY still not hired
- Thread starter playahaitian
- Start date
The Right Time with Bomani Jones - Howard Bryant on 'Rooney Rule' & Henry Aaron's Passing | ESPN
Bomani Jones and Howard Bryant of ESPN discuss the “Rooney Rule” and the general absence of Black head coaches on the NFL sidelines following the Texans’ hiring of David Culley and quarterback Deshaun Watson’s official trade request in its wake (1:24). Baseball’s Hall of Fame did not elect new...
Rooney II: 'Still work to be done' on Rooney Rule
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said there's "no question" the NFL has more work to do with the Rooney Rule as it seeks to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Art Rooney II says NFL will consider more ways to improve Rooney Rule
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- Associated Press
More interviews didn't equal more hiring this offseason.
According to an analysis of candidates known to have interviewed for seven head-coaching openings this month, 11 were minorities and 16 were white. Only two of the seven jobs went to minorities.
Some consider it progress, but most agree there's a long way to go.
EDITOR'S PICKS
- Grading NFL head-coaching hires: What it would take for David Culley to not flop in Houston
- Culley: Took job knowing Watson is Texans' QB
- Chiefs' Reid upset for Bieniemy, happy for Culley
The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the league's third Black head coach hired. The New York Jets previously hired Robert Saleh, the son of Lebanese immigrants and the first NFL head coach who is known to be Muslim.
Culley and Saleh join Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin, Miami's Brian Flores and Washington's Ron Rivera as the league's only minority head coaches. In a sport where about 70% of the players are minorities, the lack of diversity among the head-coaching ranks sticks out.
Rooney said the league will take another look at the rule named after his father, Dan Rooney, who was chairman of the NFL's diversity committee.
"We didn't make as much progress on the head-coaching side as we would have liked," Rooney said. "But I would say we did make some progress on the general manager side, which is encouraging. And then we'll have to look on the coordinator side to see how much progress we make on that front.
"There are a lot of pieces to it that we're going to have to sit down when it's all said and done and really analyze what happened, and are there things we can do to strengthen the opportunities for minority coaches. I think last year we did take a number of steps that I think over time are going to pay dividends, but that's not to say we can't do more, and we'll take another strong look at it this offseason."
Two of the seven vacancies for general manager were filled by minorities when the Atlanta Falcons hired Terry Fontenot and the Detroit Lions tabbed Brad Holmes. They join Cleveland's Andrew Berry and Miami's Chris Grier as the only Black GMs in the league.
Perhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches. Ultimately, the owners are the ones making the decision and 31 of the 32 are white. They have to be convinced.
"I got this job simply because I was the best football coach that they wanted in this situation, and I happen to be African American," Culley said Friday. "I'm proud of that. I'm happy for that. And I hope if me getting this job because of that reason allows other teams in this league to see that ... so be it. I'm part of it and I'm for that."
In November, the NFL implemented a resolution that rewards organizations with draft picks for developing minority coaches and front-office executives who become head coaches, general managers or team presidents for other clubs.
That was part of a seven-point mobility plan designed to enhance opportunities.
Last May, the NFL amended the Rooney Rule to stipulate teams must interview at least two minority candidates not associated with their own team for a head-coaching vacancy. Also, one minority candidate has to be interviewed for coordinator positions as well as high-ranking positions in the front office, including the general manager role.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had six interviews but was passed over again. Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs expressed disappointment that Bieniemy didn't get an opportunity.
"It's very shocking that he didn't get a job," wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. "I know deep down inside he's going to look at himself in the mirror and say, 'What can I do better so I can get that job?' He's that kind of dude. He wants to get better and he wants to become a head coach. His time will come."
The list of Black candidates who interviewed for head-coaching positions included five guys who previously held the position: Marvin Lewis, Jim Caldwell, Todd Bowles, Leslie Frazier and Raheem Morris.
The Eagles interviewed their assistant head coach/running backs coach, Duce Staley, who left for Detroit after Nick Sirianni was hired to replace Doug Pederson. They also interviewed Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, Bowles and Saleh among a total of 10 candidates.
"I was blown away by the quality of these candidates," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. "The NFL is lacking in slots, not in candidates. ... They'll be the hot candidates in a year, two or three, no question about it. That's what we learned in the process."
The Jets interviewed then-Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn. He later joined Dan Campbell's staff in Detroit.
Many players, and their union leader, have voiced concern about the lack of diversity in the coaching ranks.
"A rule or any modifications to a rule that has very little transparency and very little accountability, none of us should be surprised when it fails, right?" NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said this month. "So, I think to the league's credit they've asked the NFLPA and us to help them improve diversity across the NFL, not only coaches or head coaches but entire coaching ranks, NFL team front offices, the league office, and ultimately ownership. Those are conversations that I know we're going to start to have with the league after the Super Bowl.
"But, to me, it has to start with those two things. Without a level of transparency and accountability, none of us should be surprised when there are only incremental steps of change or times where we've gone backward. There are concrete ways of addressing this. A lot of them mirror what people have been doing in corporate America for years. But increasing transparency, giving someone the responsibility of increasing diversity and then making it accountable, I think if you have those three things as the core of how you want to make the league look like its membership and its community, I think those are the only ways to go about it."
I hate that this rule even exist, it shouldn't be a rule to have to include black coaches on getting interviews and looked at. That should already happen without a rule being in place.Rooney II: 'Still work to be done' on Rooney Rule
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said there's "no question" the NFL has more work to do with the Rooney Rule as it seeks to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach.
Pittsburgh Steelers' Art Rooney II says NFL will consider more ways to improve Rooney Rule
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- Associated Press
The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams that develop them.
More interviews didn't equal more hiring this offseason.
According to an analysis of candidates known to have interviewed for seven head-coaching openings this month, 11 were minorities and 16 were white. Only two of the seven jobs went to minorities.
Some consider it progress, but most agree there's a long way to go.
EDITOR'S PICKS
"There's still work to be done in this area, no question about it," Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II said Thursday.
- Grading NFL head-coaching hires: What it would take for David Culley to not flop in Houston
- Culley: Took job knowing Watson is Texans' QB
- Chiefs' Reid upset for Bieniemy, happy for Culley
The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the league's third Black head coach hired. The New York Jets previously hired Robert Saleh, the son of Lebanese immigrants and the first NFL head coach who is known to be Muslim.
Culley and Saleh join Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin, Miami's Brian Flores and Washington's Ron Rivera as the league's only minority head coaches. In a sport where about 70% of the players are minorities, the lack of diversity among the head-coaching ranks sticks out.
Rooney said the league will take another look at the rule named after his father, Dan Rooney, who was chairman of the NFL's diversity committee.
"We didn't make as much progress on the head-coaching side as we would have liked," Rooney said. "But I would say we did make some progress on the general manager side, which is encouraging. And then we'll have to look on the coordinator side to see how much progress we make on that front.
"There are a lot of pieces to it that we're going to have to sit down when it's all said and done and really analyze what happened, and are there things we can do to strengthen the opportunities for minority coaches. I think last year we did take a number of steps that I think over time are going to pay dividends, but that's not to say we can't do more, and we'll take another strong look at it this offseason."
Two of the seven vacancies for general manager were filled by minorities when the Atlanta Falcons hired Terry Fontenot and the Detroit Lions tabbed Brad Holmes. They join Cleveland's Andrew Berry and Miami's Chris Grier as the only Black GMs in the league.
Perhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches. Ultimately, the owners are the ones making the decision and 31 of the 32 are white. They have to be convinced.
"I got this job simply because I was the best football coach that they wanted in this situation, and I happen to be African American," Culley said Friday. "I'm proud of that. I'm happy for that. And I hope if me getting this job because of that reason allows other teams in this league to see that ... so be it. I'm part of it and I'm for that."
In November, the NFL implemented a resolution that rewards organizations with draft picks for developing minority coaches and front-office executives who become head coaches, general managers or team presidents for other clubs.
That was part of a seven-point mobility plan designed to enhance opportunities.
Last May, the NFL amended the Rooney Rule to stipulate teams must interview at least two minority candidates not associated with their own team for a head-coaching vacancy. Also, one minority candidate has to be interviewed for coordinator positions as well as high-ranking positions in the front office, including the general manager role.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had six interviews but was passed over again. Coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and other Chiefs expressed disappointment that Bieniemy didn't get an opportunity.
"It's very shocking that he didn't get a job," wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. "I know deep down inside he's going to look at himself in the mirror and say, 'What can I do better so I can get that job?' He's that kind of dude. He wants to get better and he wants to become a head coach. His time will come."
The list of Black candidates who interviewed for head-coaching positions included five guys who previously held the position: Marvin Lewis, Jim Caldwell, Todd Bowles, Leslie Frazier and Raheem Morris.
The Eagles interviewed their assistant head coach/running backs coach, Duce Staley, who left for Detroit after Nick Sirianni was hired to replace Doug Pederson. They also interviewed Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, Bowles and Saleh among a total of 10 candidates.
"I was blown away by the quality of these candidates," Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. "The NFL is lacking in slots, not in candidates. ... They'll be the hot candidates in a year, two or three, no question about it. That's what we learned in the process."
The Jets interviewed then-Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn. He later joined Dan Campbell's staff in Detroit.
Many players, and their union leader, have voiced concern about the lack of diversity in the coaching ranks.
"A rule or any modifications to a rule that has very little transparency and very little accountability, none of us should be surprised when it fails, right?" NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith said this month. "So, I think to the league's credit they've asked the NFLPA and us to help them improve diversity across the NFL, not only coaches or head coaches but entire coaching ranks, NFL team front offices, the league office, and ultimately ownership. Those are conversations that I know we're going to start to have with the league after the Super Bowl.
"But, to me, it has to start with those two things. Without a level of transparency and accountability, none of us should be surprised when there are only incremental steps of change or times where we've gone backward. There are concrete ways of addressing this. A lot of them mirror what people have been doing in corporate America for years. But increasing transparency, giving someone the responsibility of increasing diversity and then making it accountable, I think if you have those three things as the core of how you want to make the league look like its membership and its community, I think those are the only ways to go about it."
I don't give a fuck that he's got TB12. It takes a special kind of coach and personality to build chemistry and provide the support that works. Being a former QB is helpful as well. OC Byron Leftwich should get a HC interview at minimum.speaking of fuckery, it's time to start looking at TB OC Byron Leftwich as well. it's laughable that his name does not come up, but Josh McCown (wtf?!) does..
Bieniemy doesn't want pity, knows responsibility is with Chiefs
Eric Bieniemy proclaims his responsibility to the Chiefs amid head coach interviews.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Bieniemy is spending this particular week for the second straight year not only preparing the Kansas City Chiefs to play in the Super Bowl but also trying to explain why he doesn't have an NFL head-coaching job.
Bieniemy said Tuesday that even though he interviewed for six openings this year and multiple openings last year, the right job hasn't come along yet.
"It's always about getting the right job," the Chiefs' offensive coordinator said. "Sometimes the job and the person have to connect. There has to be a connection. The only thing I can do is be my most authentic self. That's who I am. I can only be me. Some team has to want me. For some reason, that chemistry has not been a fit. There has not been that opportunity to connect, but that's OK. At the end of the day, I have the opportunity to go out here and work with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is a great organization ...
"I'm excited about the opportunity that has been presented to me. The other stuff, I can't control that. That is out of my control. The only thing I can worry about is today and moving forward what I need to do to help our guys be at their best come Sunday."
Bieniemy said he's dealing with the disappointment by focusing on Sunday's game. The Chiefs have the chance to be the first team to win back-to-back championships in more than 15 years when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
"We've had a great deal of success here that's placed me in the situation where I've been recognized to interview for some jobs," Bieniemy said. "Those interviews, for whatever reason, I have not been hired, which is OK because at the end of the day I still have an opportunity to go out there and help our team pursue and obtain our goal.
"Yes, there is a focal point where you are focused on that interview. But once that interview is over, it's time to turn the page. I can't sit here and dwell in pity because when all is said and done with I have a responsibility to the Kansas City Chiefs ... to make sure that we're mentally and physically ready to go come game day. That's who I am, and that's how I operate.
"I learned a long time ago how to persevere through adversity. The beauty of it is not so much that I have to persevere, because that's going to take care of itself. It's making sure that whatever is taking place with Eric Bieniemy isn't becoming a distraction in us pursuing our dreams and our goals."
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was asked if it would help if the NFL made a rule to move the hiring cycle to after the Super Bowl.
"I think that would be a great rule. I really do, if everybody had to wait until after. I know everybody's gonna go behind their back anyway, and agents will have agreements with people, but I think the hiring process should wait until after the season."
Eric Bieniemy proclaims his responsibility to the Chiefs amid head coach interviews.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Bieniemy is spending this particular week for the second straight year not only preparing the Kansas City Chiefs to play in the Super Bowl but also trying to explain why he doesn't have an NFL head-coaching job.
Bieniemy said Tuesday that even though he interviewed for six openings this year and multiple openings last year, the right job hasn't come along yet.
"It's always about getting the right job," the Chiefs' offensive coordinator said. "Sometimes the job and the person have to connect. There has to be a connection. The only thing I can do is be my most authentic self. That's who I am. I can only be me. Some team has to want me. For some reason, that chemistry has not been a fit. There has not been that opportunity to connect, but that's OK. At the end of the day, I have the opportunity to go out here and work with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is a great organization ...
"I'm excited about the opportunity that has been presented to me. The other stuff, I can't control that. That is out of my control. The only thing I can worry about is today and moving forward what I need to do to help our guys be at their best come Sunday."
Bieniemy said he's dealing with the disappointment by focusing on Sunday's game. The Chiefs have the chance to be the first team to win back-to-back championships in more than 15 years when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
"We've had a great deal of success here that's placed me in the situation where I've been recognized to interview for some jobs," Bieniemy said. "Those interviews, for whatever reason, I have not been hired, which is OK because at the end of the day I still have an opportunity to go out there and help our team pursue and obtain our goal.
"Yes, there is a focal point where you are focused on that interview. But once that interview is over, it's time to turn the page. I can't sit here and dwell in pity because when all is said and done with I have a responsibility to the Kansas City Chiefs ... to make sure that we're mentally and physically ready to go come game day. That's who I am, and that's how I operate.
"I learned a long time ago how to persevere through adversity. The beauty of it is not so much that I have to persevere, because that's going to take care of itself. It's making sure that whatever is taking place with Eric Bieniemy isn't becoming a distraction in us pursuing our dreams and our goals."
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was asked if it would help if the NFL made a rule to move the hiring cycle to after the Super Bowl.
"I think that would be a great rule. I really do, if everybody had to wait until after. I know everybody's gonna go behind their back anyway, and agents will have agreements with people, but I think the hiring process should wait until after the season."
admirable on his part, but he's still getting passed over
Seems like the owners are doing a quiet boycott. You don't declare it, you just don't hire.
Bieniemy: Can't 'dwell in pity' over no HC job
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who interviewed for six head-coaching jobs, says he's not going to "dwell in pity" over not landing one of them.
Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy won't 'dwell in pity' over not getting head-coaching job
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Bieniemy is spending this particular week for the second straight year not only preparing the Kansas City Chiefs to play in the Super Bowl but also trying to explain why he doesn't have an NFL head-coaching job.
Bieniemy said Tuesday that even though he interviewed for six openings this year and multiple openings last year, the right job hasn't come along yet.
"It's always about getting the right job," the Chiefs' offensive coordinator said. "Sometimes the job and the person have to connect. There has to be a connection. The only thing I can do is be my most authentic self. That's who I am. I can only be me. Some team has to want me. For some reason, that chemistry has not been a fit. There has not been that opportunity to connect, but that's OK. At the end of the day, I have the opportunity to go out here and work with the Kansas City Chiefs, which is a great organization ...
"I'm excited about the opportunity that has been presented to me. The other stuff, I can't control that. That is out of my control. The only thing I can worry about is today and moving forward what I need to do to help our guys be at their best come Sunday."
Bieniemy said he's dealing with the disappointment by focusing on Sunday's game. The Chiefs have the chance to be the first team to win back-to-back championships in more than 15 years when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.
"We've had a great deal of success here that's placed me in the situation where I've been recognized to interview for some jobs," Bieniemy said. "Those interviews, for whatever reason, I have not been hired, which is OK because at the end of the day I still have an opportunity to go out there and help our team pursue and obtain our goal.
"Yes, there is a focal point where you are focused on that interview. But once that interview is over, it's time to turn the page. I can't sit here and dwell in pity because when all is said and done with I have a responsibility to the Kansas City Chiefs ... to make sure that we're mentally and physically ready to go come game day. That's who I am, and that's how I operate.
"I learned a long time ago how to persevere through adversity. The beauty of it is not so much that I have to persevere, because that's going to take care of itself. It's making sure that whatever is taking place with Eric Bieniemy isn't becoming a distraction in us pursuing our dreams and our goals."
Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians was asked if it would help if the NFL made a rule to move the hiring cycle to after the Super Bowl.
"I think that would be a great rule. I really do, if everybody had to wait until after. I know everybody's gonna go behind their back anyway, and agents will have agreements with people, but I think the hiring process should wait until after the season."
Fritz Pollard Alliance's Rod Graves: Jacksonville Jaguars' hiring of Chris Doyle 'simply unacceptable'
5:19 PM ET
Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves released a statement on Friday that called Doyle's hiring unacceptable and Meyer's defense of the hire an example of the problems minority coaches face in the NFL.
"At a time when the NFL has failed to solve its problem with racial hiring practices, it is simply unacceptable to welcome Chris Doyle into the ranks of NFL coaches," Graves' statement read. "Doyle's departure from the University of Iowa reflected a tenure riddled with poor judgment and mistreatment of Black players. His conduct should be as disqualifying for the NFL as it was for University of Iowa.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an organization devoted to championing diversity in the NFL. It comprises scouts, coaches and front office personnel in the NFL as well as other sports professionals.
Doyle's hiring drew immediate backlash on Thursday, when the team announced the move as part of Meyer's complete coaching staff. Doyle had been Iowa's director of strength and conditioning from 1999 until last summer, when he and the school reached a separation agreement after numerous former Iowa players spoke out about mistreatment within the Iowa program.
A number of the allegations came from Black players and concerned the way Doyle treated them and his use of racist language. Meyer said he researched Doyle, had some intense conversations with him and is confident that there will not be problems in the future.
"I vet everyone on our staff and like I said, the relationship goes back close to 20 years and a lot of hard questions asked, a lot of vetting involved with all our staff," Meyer said. "We did a very good job vetting that one.
"... I met with our staff and I'm going to be very transparent with all the players like I am with everything. I'll listen closely and learn, and also there's going to have to be some trust in their head coach that we're going to give them the very best of the best, and time will tell. ... The allegations that took place, I will say [to the players] I vetted him. I know the person for close to 20 years and I can assure them there will be nothing of any sort in the Jaguar facility."
Some of the issues raised by the numerous former Iowa players who spoke out on social media last year were: Black and white players were held to different standards; Black players were mistreated; Doyle and other assistants made racist remarks; and Black players felt they had to conform to specific ways of dress and behavior. Their complaints sparked the university to hire a Kansas City law firm to conduct an external investigation into the football program.
The issues were not strictly related to race.
Former Iowa offensive lineman Jack Kallenberger said last June on Twitter that he retired from football in January 2019 after he became despondent because of what he described as bullying related to a learning disability. Doyle was among the coaches he named who harassed him.
The university placed Doyle on administrative leave on June 6 in the wake of those allegations. One day later, Doyle defended himself in a statement posted to Twitter that read, in part: "At no time have I ever crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based upon race. I do not make racist comments and I don't tolerate people who do."
On June 14, it was announced that Doyle was out at Iowa. Doyle, who was the nation's highest-paid strength coach at $800,000 annually, received 15 months' salary (roughly $1.1 million), and he and his family were awarded benefits from Iowa for 15 months, or until he found employment elsewhere, which he did this month with the Jaguars.
5:19 PM ET
Michael DiRoccoESPN Staff Writer
Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves released a statement on Friday that called Doyle's hiring unacceptable and Meyer's defense of the hire an example of the problems minority coaches face in the NFL.
"At a time when the NFL has failed to solve its problem with racial hiring practices, it is simply unacceptable to welcome Chris Doyle into the ranks of NFL coaches," Graves' statement read. "Doyle's departure from the University of Iowa reflected a tenure riddled with poor judgment and mistreatment of Black players. His conduct should be as disqualifying for the NFL as it was for University of Iowa.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an organization devoted to championing diversity in the NFL. It comprises scouts, coaches and front office personnel in the NFL as well as other sports professionals.
Doyle's hiring drew immediate backlash on Thursday, when the team announced the move as part of Meyer's complete coaching staff. Doyle had been Iowa's director of strength and conditioning from 1999 until last summer, when he and the school reached a separation agreement after numerous former Iowa players spoke out about mistreatment within the Iowa program.
A number of the allegations came from Black players and concerned the way Doyle treated them and his use of racist language. Meyer said he researched Doyle, had some intense conversations with him and is confident that there will not be problems in the future.
"I vet everyone on our staff and like I said, the relationship goes back close to 20 years and a lot of hard questions asked, a lot of vetting involved with all our staff," Meyer said. "We did a very good job vetting that one.
"... I met with our staff and I'm going to be very transparent with all the players like I am with everything. I'll listen closely and learn, and also there's going to have to be some trust in their head coach that we're going to give them the very best of the best, and time will tell. ... The allegations that took place, I will say [to the players] I vetted him. I know the person for close to 20 years and I can assure them there will be nothing of any sort in the Jaguar facility."
Some of the issues raised by the numerous former Iowa players who spoke out on social media last year were: Black and white players were held to different standards; Black players were mistreated; Doyle and other assistants made racist remarks; and Black players felt they had to conform to specific ways of dress and behavior. Their complaints sparked the university to hire a Kansas City law firm to conduct an external investigation into the football program.
The issues were not strictly related to race.
Former Iowa offensive lineman Jack Kallenberger said last June on Twitter that he retired from football in January 2019 after he became despondent because of what he described as bullying related to a learning disability. Doyle was among the coaches he named who harassed him.
The university placed Doyle on administrative leave on June 6 in the wake of those allegations. One day later, Doyle defended himself in a statement posted to Twitter that read, in part: "At no time have I ever crossed the line of unethical behavior or bias based upon race. I do not make racist comments and I don't tolerate people who do."
On June 14, it was announced that Doyle was out at Iowa. Doyle, who was the nation's highest-paid strength coach at $800,000 annually, received 15 months' salary (roughly $1.1 million), and he and his family were awarded benefits from Iowa for 15 months, or until he found employment elsewhere, which he did this month with the Jaguars.
NFL: Fritz Pollard Alliance's Rod Graves: Jacksonville Jaguars' hiring of Chris Doyle 'simply unacceptable'
Fritz Pollard Alliance's Rod Graves: Jacksonville Jaguars' hiring of Chris Doyle 'simply unacceptable' 5:19 PM ET Michael DiRoccoESPN Staff Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Fritz Pollard Alliance blasted the Jacksonville Jaguars and head coach Urban Meyer for hiring Chris Doyle, a...
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this was the definition of white privileged arrogance
look at that screen shot?
Look racist cac up in the dictionary...
THERE you go.
look at that screen shot?
Look racist cac up in the dictionary...
THERE you go.
Jemele Hill Goes Scorched Earth On Urban Meyer For Hiring Chris Doyle Despite Bullying, Racism Accusations (TWEETS)
Read “Jemele Hill Goes Scorched Earth On Urban Meyer For Hiring Chris Doyle Despite Bullying, Racism Accusations (TWEETS) ” and other NFL articles from Total Pro Sports.
www.totalprosports.com
Bieniemy says focus on Chiefs, not USC opening
Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy said Thursday that if he were to be contacted by USC, he would tell the school he's focused on his current NFL job.
Leftwich won the Superbowl twice(as a player and a coach) yet these reporters want to act like every black person look the same.
Ill guaranteed you they would never do that to a former quarterback that's a coach now that's white.
Mike Tomlin is proof that NFL owners’ unwillingness to hire more Black coaches is a stupid and willful decision
Steelers coach becomes first in NFL history to start career with 15 straight non-losing seasons
deadspin.com
Mike Tomlin is proof that NFL owners’ unwillingness to hire more Black coaches is a stupid and willful decision
Steelers coach becomes first in NFL history to start career with 15 straight non-losing seasons
By
Carron J. Phillips
Give Mike Tomlin the respect (and the paycheck) he deserves.Image: Getty Images
If Mike Tomlin were white, he’d be on the Mount Rushmore of NFL coaches and it wouldn’t be debatable.
For close to two decades, he’s survived in a league that’s constantly proven that they don’t want men like him around in positions of power, been to two Super Bowls, and is the youngest coach in NFL history to raise the Lombardi Trophy.
However, the thing that sets Tomlin apart from his peers is his consistency. Despite free agency, rising salary caps, and playing in a league that’s designed to create parity, the Steelers have never been a bad football team during Tomlin’s tenure. Due to Monday night’s 26-14 win over the Browns, it guaranteed that for the 15th straight year Tomlin will end the season with at least a .500 record, something no other coach in NFL history has done to start their careers.
“Not as I sit here today, and I say that humbly,” Tomlin said on Tuesday when asked about the meaning of reaching the mark. “Our agenda, this year, is to get into [the] single-elimination tournament and then pit our skills against others in that single-elimination tournament in an effort to win the world championship. That’s our mentality every year.
“And so with that mentality, it’s just certain hardware that you expect to pick up along the way. And if you don’t, you’d be seriously disappointed. That’s just an expectation that we have here in Pittsburgh.”
To make the playoffs, the Steelers need a few things to go their way, including a win over the Ravens on Sunday, along with a Jaguars victory over the Colts, and for the Chargers/Raiders game not to end in a tie. Depending on Jacksonville is what will likely keep Tomlin from his 10th postseason appearance in 15 years. But yet, despite all he’s accomplished, Tomlin is constantly disrespected, like when he was asked about the USC job last fall. Only Black people are expected to be excited about potential jobs that will turn out to be a lateral move or a demotion.
“Anybody asking Sean Payton about that, ya know? Anybody asking Andy Reid about stuff like that?” asked Tomlin.
The reason Tomlin mentioned those white Super Bowl-winning coaches is because he’s better than them, yet they don’t have to deal with trivial questions and speculations about college jobs that are beneath them like he does. In total, Tomlin is 153-85-2 for a winning percentage of .642. By comparison, Payton’s winning pct. is .629, while Reid’s is .632. And in case you were wondering, Reid has three losing seasons on his resume and Payton has four. Tomlin? None. And unlike Reid and Payton, Tomlin doesn’t get as much media attention as other coaches in the league despite having a better resume. You won’t find him in too many national commercials as a pitch man.
And then there are the unnecessary shots that Tomlin has taken over the years from people like former Steeler Terry Bradshaw, who once said that Tomlin “was not his kind of coach” and referred to him as a cheerleader.
“I think he’s not just a great Black head coach, he’s a great head coach,” Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said in 2020. “It’s one thing to be the all-time winningest Black head coach, but this dude deserves more than enough credit. To never have a losing season, to get the most out of his players. It’s not just first-rounders that wound up playing great here. He’s had fifth [round], sixth, undrafted guys who’ve done well.
“I know a lot of people like to say he inherited a great team, but think about other people who have inherited great teams. Think about the basketball teams that Phil Jackson would take over. That’s not a shot at him, but when you are able to lead a group of men and lead them the right way, that says a lot about the type of coach you are.”
When Michigan State signed Mel Tucker to a 10-year, $95 million deal in November, it made him the highest-paid Black coach in American sports – which is a gamechanger. And while Tomlin is the highest-paid Black coach in the NFL making $8 million a year, it’s laughable that anybody outside of Bill Belichick – $12.5 million – makes more than him annually, as Pete Carroll brings home $11 million while Payton is at $9.8 million.
(whispers) Pete Carroll has four losing seasons in his career. It’s time for Pittsburgh to cut the check and start paying Mike Tomlin like he’s a white man.
Mina knocked tht one out the park ...
....her fine ass ...
i wanna beat the breaks off thsi spinner ...
we will c this coaching cycle ...if BIENIEMY & Leftwich dont get a shot this year fuck teh nfl ...
both of them out there 2 yr`s a go and we hire Judge ...
@playahaitian
dont u ever give these muther fuckers any air time on here ever again ...especially tht fat piece of shit Whitlock ...
i cant wait for tht fat fuck to get his ni99a wake up call..
@playahaitian
dont u ever give these muther fuckers any air time on here ever again ...especially tht fat piece of shit Whitlock ...
i cant wait for tht fat fuck to get his ni99a wake up call..
I never do but that sh*t was f*cking egregious I wanted it confirmed that we can NEVER EVER EVER give that blob a pass
Mina knocked tht one out the park ...
i wanna beat the breaks off thsi spinner ...
we will c this coaching cycle ...if BIENIEMY & Leftwich dont get a shot this year fuck teh nfl ...
both of them out there 2 yr`s a go and we hire Judge ...
sensei?
I int holding my breath
I ain't watched a game in 5 years...I'm totally done...with that circus...brah
Big bruh? I totally understand and respect it
Jerry Reese finally getting well-deserved interest for second GM stint
There was a time when Jerry Reese did not know if he wanted to get back into the NFL, as his firing by the Giants as their general manager late in the 2017 season was difficult for him to come to g…
nypost.com
ESPN DAILY ON BRIAN FLORES AND THE MIAMI DOLPHINS
A MUST LISTEN....
www.espn.com
A MUST LISTEN....
ESPN Daily - What Went Wrong for Brian Flores and the Dolphins | ESPN
The end of the NFL regular season inevitably means a round of firings of head coaches from the leagues underperforming teams. But this year, one name came as a shock: Brian Flores. He was fired by the Miami Dolphins after compiling a record of 24-25 in his three seasons at the helm. The Dolphins...
newsflash: the NFL continues to be racist as fuk!!!!
For years I was on the decline from watching the NFL.
Once they didn't give Marshawn Lynch the ball in that super bowl game, I clocked out.
I did as well..brah