NFL meetings: Rooney Rule updated to include female candidates
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The NFL announced changes Monday to the Rooney Rule in an effort to increase the number of minority candidates to be considered for coaching and front-office vacancies.
The category of minority candidates now will include women. Also, in order to satisfy the Rooney Rule requirements, an interview for head coaches and general managers must take place in person as opposed to virtually.
Currently, there are five minority head coaches: Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Washington’s Ron Rivera, Houston’s Lovie Smith, Miami’s Mike McDaniels and Robert Saleh of the New York Jets.
“In general, I’d say that we have positives and negatives in terms of the hiring cycle,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II, whose late father, Dan Rooney, was credited with creating the Rooney Rule.
“We’ve seen progress in certain areas over the last couple of years. Certainly, the number of minorities that are interviewing for senior positions in the league has increased significantly over the last couple of years …
“Obviously, we’re still not seeing the kind of progress that we would like to see on the head coaching front and so we have been focusing on that effort and how we can improve the processes.”
The league also will require all teams to hire a minority coach or woman to serve as an offensive assistant in hopes of deepening the pool of potential head coaching candidates. The league will participate in funding these assistants.
“It’s a recognition that at the moment we do look at stepping stones for a head coach that are coordinator positions,” Rooney said. “We clearly have a trend where our head coaches are coming from the offensive side of the ball in recent years and we clearly do not have as many minorities in the offensive coordinator positions.
“So, without oversimplifying it, it’s really an effort to try to bring more talented minority coaches to the offensive side of the ball. Both within the league and hopefully attract those talented individuals from the college ranks.”
The NFL also pledged to do what it could to increase diversity among team owners, saying that when evaluating a prospective ownership group “the membership will regard it as a positive and meaningful factor if the group includes diverse individuals who would have a significant equity stake in and involvement with the club, including serving as the controlling owner of the club.”
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images North America/TNS
Had one of the truly great under-the-radar seasons in NFL history a year ago and the gold standard in terms of a passer who can also run (4,407 yards passing, 36 TDs, 763 yards rushing, six touchdowns). Solid offseason acquisitions for the Bills included guard Rodger Saffold, tight end O.J. Howard and pass rusher Von Miller.
Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images North America/TNS
Had one of the truly great under-the-radar seasons in NFL history a year ago and the gold standard in terms of a passer who can also run (4,407 yards passing, 36 TDs, 763 yards rushing, six touchdowns). Solid offseason acquisitions for the Bills included guard Rodger Saffold, tight end O.J. Howard and pass rusher Von Miller.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
David Becker
The Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster to an offense that already has Tyreek HIll and Travis Kelce. Still trying to figure out what happened to Mahomes in the second half of the AFC title game loss to the Bengals, but am going to assume it was just a bad day.
David Becker
The Chiefs added JuJu Smith-Schuster to an offense that already has Tyreek HIll and Travis Kelce. Still trying to figure out what happened to Mahomes in the second half of the AFC title game loss to the Bengals, but am going to assume it was just a bad day.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Mark LoMoglio
Had the Bucs on the verge of a miraculous comeback in the title game against the Rams until they got Cooper Kupp-ed. One concern — Brady lost both of his starting guards, Ali Marpet to a surprise retirement and Alex Cappa to free agency.
Mark LoMoglio
Had the Bucs on the verge of a miraculous comeback in the title game against the Rams until they got Cooper Kupp-ed. One concern — Brady lost both of his starting guards, Ali Marpet to a surprise retirement and Alex Cappa to free agency.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Lynne Sladky
You'll notice the Nos. 3 and 4 quarterbacks on this list were acquired specifically with the idea of making a good team a great one by their mere presence, and both delivered Super Bowl championships. Why draft and develop when you can fill football's most important position with a trade?
Lynne Sladky
You'll notice the Nos. 3 and 4 quarterbacks on this list were acquired specifically with the idea of making a good team a great one by their mere presence, and both delivered Super Bowl championships. Why draft and develop when you can fill football's most important position with a trade?
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Adam Hunger
The Bengals signed La'el Collins and Cappa to upgrade the line that saw Burrow get sacked 51 times take a beating in the postseason. If Cincinnati gets its protection shored up, Burrow can put up much bigger numbers than last year's 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. He's that good.
Adam Hunger
The Bengals signed La'el Collins and Cappa to upgrade the line that saw Burrow get sacked 51 times take a beating in the postseason. If Cincinnati gets its protection shored up, Burrow can put up much bigger numbers than last year's 4,611 yards and 34 touchdowns. He's that good.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Jeff Bottari
Wide receiver Mike Williams was retained with a three-year contract extension, but offense wasn't the Chargers' problem. Watch how much better Herbert gets in terms of the bottom line if free agent cornerback J.C. Jackson lives up to his contract and with Khalil Mack as a bookend pass rusher to go along with Joey Bosa.
Jeff Bottari
Wide receiver Mike Williams was retained with a three-year contract extension, but offense wasn't the Chargers' problem. Watch how much better Herbert gets in terms of the bottom line if free agent cornerback J.C. Jackson lives up to his contract and with Khalil Mack as a bookend pass rusher to go along with Joey Bosa.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Jeffrey Phelps
Rodgers played poorly in the playoff loss to the 49ers and his penchant for being overly dramatic is wearing thin. He's also without Davante Adams, dealt to the Raiders. But he's won back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards and he's going to the Hall of Fame, so he can't be counted out.
Jeffrey Phelps
Rodgers played poorly in the playoff loss to the 49ers and his penchant for being overly dramatic is wearing thin. He's also without Davante Adams, dealt to the Raiders. But he's won back-to-back Most Valuable Player awards and he's going to the Hall of Fame, so he can't be counted out.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
David Zalubowski
This one could go either way. But the guess here is Wilson regains his touch with Nathaniel Hackett running the offense and makes the Broncos a viable playoff contender in the quarterback-rich AFC West.
David Zalubowski
This one could go either way. But the guess here is Wilson regains his touch with Nathaniel Hackett running the offense and makes the Broncos a viable playoff contender in the quarterback-rich AFC West.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Emilee Chinn
Helped coax his longtime Fresno State friend Adams to Las Vegas in a deal that instantly makes the Raiders potentially something special on offense. With Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, Carr's red zone issues should be a thing of the past if the Raiders can protect him.
Emilee Chinn
Helped coax his longtime Fresno State friend Adams to Las Vegas in a deal that instantly makes the Raiders potentially something special on offense. With Adams, Darren Waller and Hunter Renfrow, Carr's red zone issues should be a thing of the past if the Raiders can protect him.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Zach Bolinger
Yes, he could be suspended and it's more than a little distasteful so many teams were willing to overlook 22 civil suits to throw bags of money at one of the NFL's dynamic talents. But if the guy is getting $230 million guaranteed, a lot of people will overlook his indiscretions and he'll be the biggest thing in Cleveland since LeBron James.
Zach Bolinger
Yes, he could be suspended and it's more than a little distasteful so many teams were willing to overlook 22 civil suits to throw bags of money at one of the NFL's dynamic talents. But if the guy is getting $230 million guaranteed, a lot of people will overlook his indiscretions and he'll be the biggest thing in Cleveland since LeBron James.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Roger Steinman
Should be good for another 4,449 yards passing and 37 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Still perplexed by the sight of Prescott running the ball up the middle and running out the clock against the 49ers in the playoffs, but that doesn't change the fact he's among the elite of the suddenly quarterback-thin NFC.
Roger Steinman
Should be good for another 4,449 yards passing and 37 touchdowns for the Cowboys. Still perplexed by the sight of Prescott running the ball up the middle and running out the clock against the 49ers in the playoffs, but that doesn't change the fact he's among the elite of the suddenly quarterback-thin NFC.
Source: Chiefs send Hill to Dolphins for draft picks
Danny Karnik
Atlanta's whiff with Watson turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Ryan. He joins a far superior Colts team that has a great lead back in Jonathan Taylor, solid receivers and a good defense. In terms of decision-making and stability, a huge upgrade over Carson Wentz on a team that's ready to win.
Danny Karnik
Atlanta's whiff with Watson turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Ryan. He joins a far superior Colts team that has a great lead back in Jonathan Taylor, solid receivers and a good defense. In terms of decision-making and stability, a huge upgrade over Carson Wentz on a team that's ready to win.
NFL meetings: Rooney Rule updated to include female candidates
Joe Sargent/Getty Images North America/TNS
In this photo from November 10, 2019, owner Art Rooney ll of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images/TNS)
Joe Sargent/Getty Images North America/TNS
In this photo from November 10, 2019, owner Art Rooney ll of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Joe Sargent/Getty Images/TNS)
