Women now qualify as minority group in NFL's hiring rules
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For the first time in NFL history, all teams will be required to hire a minority coach as part of its staff.
On Monday, the league announced a series of measures intended to raise diversity levels at the highest positions of the league.
The new initiatives come after former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit on Feb. 1 alleging racist hiring practices in the NFL. According to ESPN, league commissioner Roger Goodell said in February the league fell short of its diversity goals in the 2022 hiring cycle and pledged to increase efforts.
The new initiative requires all 32 teams to hire at least one minority offensive coach to work closely with the head coach and the offense. The NFL asserts that recent trends show head coaching hires are predominantly coming from the offensive side of the ball. Currently five of the league's head coaches are minorities.
The NFL also announced changes to the "Rooney Rule," which requires teams interview at least two minority candidates for open high-level positions. Women are now included as a qualifying minority group.
The NFL also created an outside "Diversity Advisory Committee" that includes former Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith.
"A major, bold move." ABC13's Jonathan Bruce talked to ESPN and Andscape writer Jason Reid for a more in-depth conversation on the NFL's hiring and diversity efforts.
