The Increased Opportunity for Minorities in the National Football League Coaching Ranks: The Initial Success of the NFL's Rooney Rule

Abstract

(6 Willamette Sports L.J. 45 (2009)). The article discusses the history of the so-called “Rooney Rule” and other recommendations of the National Football League (NFL) designed to increase diversity among NFL coaching staff. The Rooney Rule requires each NFL team to interview at least one minority candidate when filling a head coaching vacancy. The author argues that the Rule has increased minority hiring. The article then considers variations on the Rooney Rule in major league baseball and basketball.