The NFL has a policy in place that requires every team to abide by the Rooney Rule. Teams must interview at least one ethnic minority candidate for head coaching positions.
Just last year, the league strengthened the rule to include the following:
1. Clubs must interview at least one diverse candidate from the Career Development Advisory Panel List or a diverse candidate not currently employed by the club.
2. Clubs must continue best practice recommendation of considering multiple diverse candidates.
3. Clubs must maintain complete records and furnish to the league upon Commissioner’s request.
4. If the final decision-maker is involved in the beginning, he or she must be involved through the conclusion of the process.
The rumors swirling around the Cowboys organization for potential hires include Urban Meyer, Lincoln Riley, Don Martindale, Greg Roman, Mike Zimmer, Sean Payton, Jim Harbaugh, Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, Bill Cowher, Mike McCarthy, Josh McDaniels, Chris Peterson, and Matt Rhule, although even more names are likely being floated around internally. None
Does the above list fit the Rooney Rule criteria? No.
However, the trend across the league is upward, which is promising, as you can see in this ESPN report.
The NFL’s Chief of Football Operations, Troy Vincent, said, “We believe more can be done to support the Rooney Rule in the interest of creating an inclusive opportunity platform with the intent that consideration, inclusion, and consistency will become rooted in hiring practices.”
This a positive step that the league is recognizing a need to give ethnic minorities an opportunity to succeed at the top of their profession.
So, who are some of the legitimate candidates who could satisfy the Rooney Rule requirements?
Once Garrett is gone, the Cowboys will likely interview Kris Richard, assuming he does not take a job sooner than expected somewhere else. The team could also be interested in Vance Joseph. Both these candidates fit the requirements of the Rooney Rule.
The latest report is that Jason Garrett is expected to meet with the Joneses again on Thurs., Jan. 2. They are likely still negotiating while Garrett is taking his time to consider the offer and decide if he still wants to coach somewhere else next season.
Time will tell, but the Garrett drama continues.
