Maybe the rock wall is about to give way. At least there are more cracks showing lately.
One of the least likely professions for a black man to rise to the top of the food chain is coaching college football. Based on percentages, he would have a better shot of becoming a general in the Army.
That may, however, be changing.
February is officially Black History Month, but this past December saw a historical flurry of blacks getting head coaching jobs in big-time (Football Bowl Subdivision) college football.
And it will impact Tennessee's 2010 season:
n Joker Phillips takes over at Kentucky.
n Larry Porter is the new boss at Memphis.
n Charlie Strong won't be coordinating Florida's defense - he finally got his own program to run at Louisville.
For the second consecutive year, Tennessee will have a new head coach prowling the sideline at Neyland Stadium. And, like all his predecessors, including Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley is white.
Still, Mike Hamilton, UT's men's athletic director, said black candidates figured in his past two coaching searches to the point of formal interviews.
"I've been very impressed with the candidates we've seen,'' Hamilton said. "Quite honestly, I came very close to offering the job to one of those candidates this year.''
He won't say who, but has acknowledged that Kippy Brown was interviewed in the rush to fill Kiffin's unexpected vacancy last month. Houston's Kevin Sumlin is another candidate Hamilton may have considered.
UT has hired one black head coach in a major sport. Wade Houston was men's basketball coach from 1989-94. J.J. Clark is the director of track and field.
As for football, Hamilton said he had no reason to anticipate resistance to a black candidate from the administration or prominent boosters.
"No,'' he said, "none whatsoever. I hope I'm not being naive about that.''
College football has lagged behind college basketball, the NFL and NBA in hiring black head coaches. The BCA (Black Coaches & Administrators, formerly the Black Coaches Association) was formed in 1988, one of its missions being to advocate minority hirings.
The BCA issues a report card each year on schools that made hires. Based on several criteria, Tennessee received a "C" for the search process that produced Kiffin. Auburn and Mississippi State each received a "D" after hiring Gene Chizik and Dan Mullen, respectively.
A few years ago the number of black head coaches at FBS schools had dwindled to three. In 2010, there will be 13 head coaches of color after seven got jobs since the end of the 2009 season.
Last fall, Miami's Randy Shannon was the only black head coach at one of the six major conferences that make up the Bowl Championship Series. From the latest round of hires, he'll be joined by Strong at Louisville, Turner Gill at Kansas and Mike London at Virginia.
London made history in 2008 by winning a Football Championship Subdivision national title at Richmond.
One of the obstacles in solving the dearth of minority head coaches is the progression up the ladder.
Rarely is a big-time school going to offer its head coaching job to a candidate who has not been a head coach at a lower level or a coordinator at a high level. Tennessee, Hamilton confirmed, isn't going to hire someone who has been nothing more than a position coach.
The Catch-22 is that in 2008 only 12 percent of FBS coordinators were non-white, according to BCA data.
Furthermore, minority candidates - or any lesser-experienced candidates - are more likely to be offered head coaching jobs at losing programs.
"A lot of times,'' Hamilton said, "that first job is not a plum job.
"As an AD, I've got to be able to see if the guy has a chance to succeed even though it might have been a harder job.''
Case in point: Jim Caldwell, who recently guided the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl. His first head coaching job was Wake Forest.
"He did a nice job there,'' said Hamilton, "even though it wasn't reflected in the record. He wasn't any less of a coach at Wake Forest than at Indianapolis.''
Kansas is making a similar judgment on Gill. His record at Buffalo was 20-30, but the Jayhawks realize Buffalo was a tough scenario.
Louisville's Strong said he never gave up hope in his 27 years as an assistant.
"I always think about it like this,'' Strong told The Sporting News, "if you work for IBM and you do good work, you're going to move up.''
After the progress of the past two hiring seasons, black candidates have more reason to be optimistic. Auburn assistant Trooper Taylor, who spent several years at Tennessee, is one of them.
"I'm confident, 100 percent confident,'' Taylor told The Tennessean last fall, "that one day I will be sitting at the front of the table.''
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Comments » 90
CapnJohn writes:
Coaches should be hired based on merit. Not skin color. I'm sick of this C R A P.
AllforTenn writes:
How about a black sportswriters association to put someone else in your job?
VolGrad writes:
Stories like this just feed the racism "monster." It is a slap in the face of any self-respecting individual regardless of skin color.
As Morgan Freeman stated, "Black History month is ridiculous. 'Black' History is American History."
dhwright64 writes:
"Black History Month" and "BCA (Black Coaches & Administrators, formerly the Black Coaches Association) was formed in 1988, one of its missions being to advocate minority hirings." Could you imagine if we had a "White History Month" or a "White Coaches Association" having a mission to advocate the hiring of white coaches? Groups like these and the NAACP promote racism. What Tennessee fan wouldn't be happy with Lovie Smith, Tony Dungy or Charlie Strong? Let's always look for the best coach available but don't insult any candidate by giving them bonus points because they are a minority. That would be discriminatory. Do the work, build the resume and the head coaching job will come. Do we give football or basketball programs "C's" or "D's" for having a disproportionate number of black athletes on the team? No, they put the best players on the field due to their performance. Coaching should be no different. At least it seems Trooper Taylor gets it!
hdhurst writes:
Completely agree DH...I am sure Miami (Randy Shannon), Louisville (Charlie Strong, Kansas (Turner Gill) and Virigina (Mike London) all got "A's" for doing the "right" thing...hire the minority candidate. Racism levels (for all races) might have tempered some over the years (hence a black president), but it will never go away. But, when I see articles like this, and references to laws or guidelines in place to "assure" fairness to minority races, I agree that it only feeds the fire for those out there trying to prove "white people" are bad and will do what it takes to keep their race strong. I am sorry, but these kind of articles and references never appeal to my intellectual side or "equality for all" standards. (Oh, by the way, did I mention I am a member of the WSU (White Student Union) at my school--just kidding. In my opinion, it was not bad to start Black Student Unions or "Black Colleges," but if we are going to move forward in race (or gender) equality, then I see no basis for these. How about just some fair, open discussion (from anyone) who might feel they are being discriminated against. The nasty word of "discrimination" doesn't just belong to discussions of race, it goes much deeper than that, when anyone or any group believes they are better than anymore. Ok, I am done, excuse the babbling...it's about 2am.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
The fact that we elected a Black President should once and for all ended the debate about racial equality. There will always be small pockets of bigotry, but this issue should never again be a headline. This generation has moved past the Civil rights struggle; it's time that the media (news, sports, etc) do the same. To continue to highlight any accomplishments based on race is horribly irresponsible and intolerable.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I don't know anything of Mike Strange's politics, but I'm going to guess that he's a liberal.
Liberals for years have been making race a focal point when they can on all kinds of issues... it is they who have pointed out when someone who has accomplished something is the "first black" to do so. So What? I think it's racist to put something in that context. Why couldn't Tony Dungy just be the second coach to get the Colts a Super Bowl ring? It's not like he went out there with a "Malcom X" shirt on when he was coaching. He was Tony Dungy. Same for Lovie Smith and Mike Tomlin. They're coaches. They have two arms, two legs, a brain, and as far as I'm concerned, their accomplishments should no more or no less be heralded simply because of their race... yet they are... and who's doing it; how 'bout liberal ESPN? NBC?
It's time that as Americans we look at each other as just that... Americans. That we look at coaches and players as just that.. .coaches and players. Wait.... most of us already do that. Is a throw or a catch or a tackle any more or less important simply because of a person's race? Heck no! I grew up in E Tenn, but I went to school in New Orleans for 5 years. Yes, it was a cultural change, but I got along fine.
I know normally we're not supposed to inject politics into this forum, and I know why... sports are supposed to be a diversion from everyday reality. But it's this kind of liberal phooey that inevitably fuses the two together. If we're going to get the politics out of sports, then I admonish our sports media to take the lead and do just that! I'll be here, holding my breath, waiting for that day to happen.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Yes, and the NFL should NEVER require someone of another race to have to be interviewed for a coaching job! It's Affirmative Action phooey, it's racist, and does absolutely NOTHING to advance civil rights!!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
I should have read your post before I posted my 3 volume library... it was a quite emotional post I made, but you managed to say it in a lot fewer words... excellent point!!
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Mr. Strange, I respectfully request that you and the rest of your sportswriter brethren take a good long look in the mirror, and ask yourselves how articles like these help anything! You are doing Volunteer Fans, the city of Knoxville, and the state of TN a huge disservice with this article! We are tired of being preached to about race... we're tired of being lectured on equality... WE get it. If I may be so bold, take this message to your brethren at the News Sentinel... they perhaps would benefit more than those of us who have moved on with life. Just a suggestion.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
The real test, regardless of background or heritage is how many of these gentlemen will still be at their helm in 2016.
Produce or go applies to all, period.
GreerVol22 writes:
"For the second consecutive year, Tennessee will have a new head coach prowling the sideline at Neyland Stadium. And, like all his predecessors, including Lane Kiffin, Derek Dooley is white." OMG, it's another right wing conspiracy and therefore Hamilton and the "Good old boys " at UT must be racist, right Strange? Race is an issue today because people like Mike and KNS need it to sell papers and readership.
TLepage writes:
I agree 100%.... I'm also sick of hearing about how you must be racist if you don't hire a black coach and you must be racist if you didn't vote for obama.... People that force you to hire black people are the racist ones... They think someone should get a job just because they are black... If i ever said a white person should get a job because they are white I would be attacked by people for being a racist.... there were plenty of people that only voted for obama because he is black and nothing to do with policy..... How are all of these examples okay???? Again, if i had ever said i voted for Johnny-Mac just because he was white, i would be attacked by people and called a racist.... Politics and football share one commonality in this example, everything should be based on merit and other factors, not race.... If you think there is a stronger candidate that is white, hire him and vice versa if he is black..... People in this country and the media have made successful white people look they are crooks and villains, and thats wrong....
Couchdummy writes:
Trooper Taylor must quit the chest bumps and the wearing of the cap backwards before he is a seriously considered. His "pants on the ground" type persona does not bode well for him being offered a leadership job that requires that he exhibit some decorum and maturity.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good insight.
Also, don't believe getting clocked by a golf club and wreckin' a "Lade adds to the prestige of the PGA, no matter what color you are.
TommyJack writes:
Not sure I see any of the dreaded "L" word in his column. Just a nice piece.
volover writes:
not about acting white. just acting like a respectful, professional adult. Kids love to put their hats backwards and jump around (black & white kids), but you dont see many CEO's doing it (black or white).
Couchdummy writes:
No. I would say the same if Trooper were white. My point is that a good impression means so much when you interview for a job, especially when you are seeking a job where you will be responsible for leading young men
(and women in other sports).
Couchdummy writes:
Well stated. That was the point I was trying to make.
mar31shawn#260580 writes:
RACISM WILL ALWAYS BE A PROBLEM IN THIS WORLD IT IS NOT GONE AWAY BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WANT IT TO. HOW MANY BLACK COACHES WAS HIRED IN 1990?
(IN GOD EYES WILL ALL THE SAME RACE)
TLepage writes:
that is ridiculous.... No one here has said anything racist.... People have a difference in opinion on policy regarding race then yourself.... No one said anything negative or insulting towards minority groups.... They expressed disgust in this article and overall dislike towards the role of race in certain policies and laws in this country... You my friend, are the close minded one... You are so convinced you are right that you are not willing to listen to others that have different opinions then you... So you start name calling and insulting people instead of trying to have a conversation with someone that has a different opinion then you.... You appear to be the close minded one.... You are very stubborn and have a very limited view on life.... i feel sorry for you....
HallowedHill writes:
Kiffin was definitely a "C" level coach. You can't get more 'middle of the road' than 7-6.
Go Vols!
mar31shawn#260580 writes:
(IN GOD EYES WE ALL THE SAME RACE)
RJ_Vol writes:
Hamilton made a mistake(in the long term in regards to the program) by not hiring Kippy Brown, or at least giving him a serious look. Sadly, it appeared Dooley was already in the fold before Kippy's interview. Hamilton may be the most inept athletic director of all time at UT.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Affirmative action does not work, look at the city of Memphis..I agree minority coaches deserve the opportunity to coach, but why not every race?? Only African Americans can use the Rooney Rule?? I believe we have Hispanics,Asians,Indians,Native Americans,Pacific Islanders and Eskimo races living on American soil..Just a thought.
Clevername writes:
You want to see racism in action ... come to Atlanta, Georgia and try to get a meaningful, high paying job with the city of Atlanta ... good luck. If your not black, you're wasting your time. The only jobs that white folks get are the non-supervisory jobs that actually have to do the work. A common saying around city hall is if you need some work done then "get some white boys to do it". I know I'll get slammed for this post but all you bleeding heart, guilt ridden (for what I'll never know) white liberals and black voters know ... IT'S THE TRUTH !!!
Racism swings BOTH WAYS, unfortunately our media only chooses to focus on whites. Tell me, when is the last time you read about a black on white crime that made national headlines ... virtually none including that heinous crime in Tennessee where the young white couple was brutalized and butchered by blacks, same thing happened in North Carolina a few years ago with only minimal local news coverage. Yet have a white on black crime and it's broadcast for months on every local and national media outlet ... why is that?
Let the carnage begin ...
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
So we should hire who ever we want??
Wow, that makes too much sense, and it will never work as long as we allow Big Government to control our lives..
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
I could not agree more, that kind of behavior repulses me to no end..How can someone act like that and even expect an interview??.This notion of acting black or acting white is absurd and only shows ones ignorance..It's called acting professional and until you become professional, be content with the assistants gig..
DancingOutlaw writes:
Do we hand out athletic scholarships based on skin color, or merit?
Cldvols1 writes:
This is so old, oh nevermind the Civil Rights Movement was just passed into legislation last week.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Yeah, dude, some states elected Barack Obama, whom happens to be black, but Tennessee was not one of them. In fact Tennessee was one of the least supportive states, which is odd considering Bill Clinton carried the state in both of his runs for President. According to percentage differential between the last two candidates, we were the third LEAST supportive state of Obama.
I know Knox County is one of the most conservative counties anywhere so there's no way you can tell me that because the US elected Obama that "we" had anything to do with it. Since I've moved back here in the last 6 months, I've never heard more rancor toward any one person than I've heard toward our President. And, I will not be convinced this is all based on his policies. I'm not naive. I've lived in 7 states and have a pretty good feel for the pulse of the politics in an area. Especially considering I just moved back from Northern Illinois...
We've come a long way, but Tennessee still has a long way to go...
The map below will show that Clinton/Gore carried TN for both the '92 and '96 elections. At the bottom you'll find a table delineating the percentage differences I quoted from the last election. You can draw your own conclusions...
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epol...
bjlong38326#239292 writes:
tn. hired kiffin and he was offered a leadership job that required that he exhibit some decorum and leadership....how many of you folks actually voted for obama?
ddbirdvol writes:
How are we supposed to be blind to skin color with articles like this?
A coach is a coach...I don't care what color they may be.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Really, Marc? Wow, I thought your credibility took a hit when I learned your sources were other websites, but now you're calling this garbage 100% correct? Ouch!
There are so many things so ignorant and wrong about his post, that I think most normal people will get them without me getting back up on the soapbox, but to have someone that is constantly feeding so many information (given they could find it themselves with a minimal amount of effort) take a stand like this is disappointing, at best.
What is sad is that you didn't see the hostile response he predicted as justified. Even he knew what he was saying was radical and would be treated as such...
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
When we were all following recruiting obsessively, none of us questioned when we heard a name (without seeing photo) if the PLAYER was white or black. It doesn't matter. His size/speed/grades/ability are what we care about. Same should go for coaches.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Once again, vote for the candidate with the most experience..Electing someone without having completed a full term as Senator just proves it was racially motivated..Let's not bring politics into a racial debate, it is a sore spot already..I keep hearing Lane Kiffins name mentioned..What on God's Blue Earth did his hiring have to do with fans on this site?? That is about as lame a comparison you could possibly find..
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Because they are mostly AA, you will not hear complaints of racial bias,,
NeylandWest writes:
PREACH ON!!!!!!
The media hypes it b/c it makes headlines and generates interest and attention to the point that I no longer have cable. Honest to God...I'm so over that phooey.
For the past year, I've been watching the games online or at a bar or in person. Off topic? Yeah, but the point is that the media sensationalizes it and stirs the pot in order to make a buck. I choose to no longer be a part of the process.
Cheers
orangeman1 writes:
And look how Kiffin turned out. That is precisely why your leadership should be professional and respectful. As far as who on here voted for Obama, you know its probably less than 20%, but what does that have to do with race? Obama is one of the most liberal, inexperienced politicians out there. That is the reason the people of TN didnt vote for him. He's Far from Clinton.
Racism will always exist in almost every segment of the population, but Minority Discrimination has been outlawed for many years and people like me went to a very racially diverse school. All kids, black , white, hispanic, sat beside me and had the same opportunity as me so the times of inequality are over. I honestly think that most colleges would hire the most qualified coach out there, and if it could be proven they discriminated, then action can be taken in court.
HoustonVol writes:
I have always said that minority coaches will start being hired on an acceptable level once it became ok to fire a coach and not receive backlash because of the color of his skin. It is not that AD's have been afraid to hire a black coach. They have not been hiring them because they are afraid that they would not be able to fire them like a white guy. That finally changed when Croom and the KSU guy was fired. You did not hear anyone claiming that they were not given a fair chance. Everyone knew that if they were white that they would have still been fired and no one would have batted an eye at it. AD's finally saw that I can hire this guy on his merit, and I know 3-4 years down the road, I can fire the guy on his merit and I not going to have protests at my door. This was the same trend in the NFL. Once it stopped being an issue when a black coach was fired, they started being hired. Now they are looking at doing away with the Rooney rule, because it is no longer relevant.
AllforTenn writes:
What rationalizing. Did Gore carry Tennessee? Did Kerry? Tennessee is basically conservative, especially East Tennessee. It is policies. Obama is the only radically socialistic president in recent history. That is the reason for rancor. You are trying to make it racist.
BIVOLAR_BEAR writes:
Great point, I can remember elections back in the 70's..The whole southeast voted Democrat, the Solid South if you will..This recent trend of conservative politics is morally based, not racially..Just a thought
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
Didn't anticipate the need to explain the "we" thing,but my "we" was referring the American people. Yes, I realize that President Obama did not carry TN.. that has absolutely NOTHING to do w/ his skin color, and everything to do with his standing on social issues. The fact that he had the opportunity and got elected shows how far this country has come.
My point is that no matter how many people "of color" (which, by the way, I believe we are ALL people of some color) are elected, hired, whatever, it will never be enough. It's time for liberals to join us in the 21st centrury.
usnavyvolfaninva_still_getting_paid writes:
On a completely unrelated topic, Pearl just "took the paint" for a layup... for, like, the first time ever, I think.
berryballer writes:
black people keep the racism more alive than anyone else. i could care less as long as you dont bother me.. but everytime you dont get a job or a raise its got to be because your black right? its always someone else's fault. work hard and good things will come.
darandkat writes:
So if the BCA doesn't stand up for black coaches and equality in college athletics, who will? I know its difficult for you to understand why these things have to be even in 2010. I'm pretty sure the black coach is wondering the same thing. Our black coaches have done and are still doing the work, but that somehow is still not enough. Unfortunately, talking about the shortages of black coaches in college football is necessary to bring attention to the lack of opportunities.
lawvol01 writes:
exactly my friend why does anyone care what color he is as long as he can block, tackle or knock the sh-- out of somebody. this talk is stupid in these days, lets play football
JeremyCox writes:
Anybody that thinks race has nothing to do with hiring a coach has to be kidding! I know we have came a long way, but this is still the south!
jcalhoun writes:
I hate to play devil's advocate here, but all of these comments ignore the bigger picture. While I do not think that a less qualified black person should be hired over a more qualified white person, it is ridiculous to assume blacks are on an even playing field as whites. We are talking about an entire race of people that had to endure 300 years of slavery and another 100 years of oppression, and we are only one generation removed from that. Yet you guys pretend like all of a sudden everybody's got an equal chance in this country and that's just not true. I think we can all agree that America has made huge strides since the 1960s as far as race relations, but if you honestly think minorities don't have to deal with any racial issues in today's society you are deluded.
VolFanFtl writes:
What business is it of yours who we voted for?
But if it is important to you, I voted for him, along with majority of other people that voted for him in his lop-sided victory.
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