Is the NFL doing enough for diversity with the type of head coaches it's hiring?

Yes

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by Casey Rupp

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I close my eyes and think back to the 50's and 70's when black players were segregated to their own leagues and black coaches were segregated to all black colleges at best and non-existent in the NFL(or old AFL). Many black men would not even consider applying because of the bigotry that existed.What does it mean to be culturally diverse? I have been in many classes in graduate school even, that seemed to put the responsibility for cultural harmony on one race. that will not work. In order to "make it work" , one must apply a simple formula involving qualifications+work philosophy+environme ntal background= success probability. yes, i did say environmental background. People are a direct result of their environmental influences in part, which leads to everything from how they manage their money to what they eat for dinner.It isn't an easy thing being a head coach in the NFL. There are different methods of bringing about the winning formula. Lombardi was the no-frills, guts before glory NFL version of Adolph Rupp when he Led the Packers to championship glory,Minnesota's Grant preferred to play in sub zero cold and John madden liked it down and dirty with blood showing on their jerseys.Tom Landry looked like he should be at church and was the consummate professional. The unifying factor was that they all won and earned the respect of the players.With the passing of time and desegregation, more opportunities have opened up for minorities.I challenge anyone to say the tide hasn't begun to shift. You can' expect society to change in a heartbeat,but in many slow breathes until hopefully, we all breath the same air and get the same chances to succeed in our goals.Martin Luther King preached rights for all man,not just one race. Today were have Tony Dungy,Lovie Smith, Herman Edwards, mike Tomlin and more walking the sideline.Remember how awesome it was when Warren Moon,Randall Cunningham and Doug Williams burst onto the scene? i almost cried when Williams became the first black quarterback to win the Super Bowl.It only took 20 something years.Cultural awareness is an evolutionary thing, you can't just flip a switch. In Super Bowl 41 we had for the first time two black head coaches. Black head coaches are finally getting their rightful chance on the sidelines. I ask, however, is it fair to push the hiring process on the basis of color only and not consider qualifications of the applicant. there will always be someone who feels slighted no matter what the situation. A reasonable fan of pro football cannot with all the facts before them state that the hiring process for blacks and whites alike isn't on a more level playing Field than it was 20 or 30 years ago. there is always someone who will feels as though enough isn't being done. Tony Dungy is living proof that if you put out a good product, you will get as much work as you can handle.It doesn't matter what color you are,but whether or not ownership feels you give the team the best opportunity to win.That isn't defined by the color of your skin, but your education,drive,expe rience and passion.

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