Things just don't add up. The natural progression in a career and life that has centered on the game of football would see most players move onto coaching when their playing days are over. So why has there only been seven black head coaches in the history of the NFL? The first such hire was in 1989 when the Los Angeles Raiders hired Art Shell, who went on to coach for six seasons. Despite compiling a 54-38 record Shell has never been offered a head coaching position since. The NFL has taken measures to improve on the paltry number of minority hirings. In 2002 the league created the NFL Diversity Committee. The main initiative put forth by the committee thus far has been the inclusion of a rule that governs that there must be at least one minority coaching candidate in the interview process for a vacant head coach position. By setting up the committee the NFL has identified a glaring problem that needs fixing. Still, it seems silly that a rule needs to be in place for a minority coach to just receive an interview, let alone be offered a position. Why can't an interview be set on the merit of a person's football acumen and not the colour of their skin?

	Tiger's unreal success has opened the door of possibilities. (Source: PBS.org)

It's only normal for players to connect with coaches that they can relate to. I'm not only talking about race here because there are different levels in which people can connect and relate. These can range from things such as an Alma Matter, a similar upbringing, or a hometown. Relating on something as simple as a hometown explains why a band can always milk a cheap pop out of a crowd by simply mentioning the city they happen to be playing that night, because for that one fleeting moment the band and the crowd are relating on some level. Of course people also connect on a physical level whether it being the same age, same religion or same race. So wouldn't it only be natural for a player to want to have a role model in the form of a coach? Wouldn't having a coach a player could relate to give birth to more coaching aspirations after a playing career is over? These things can only happen if a player sees someone similar to them prospering in a position that they wish to achieve or are at the very least, awaken them to the possibilities of a role they previously viewed as unattainable. Before Tiger Woods catapulted on the golf scene how many minorities saw golf as a reasonable endeavour to pick up?

Current Indianapolis Colts head coach, Tony Dungy is one of the most central people responsible for the progress of black coaching in the NFL today. Just as a minority coach gave him an opportunity, Dungy's coaching hirings and development of his staff during his Tampa Bay Buccaneers' days have directly led to the hirings of two more black coaches. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Dungy in 1996 he got the opportunity to bring in a completely new coaching staff. Dungy brought in Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator and he has gone on to build one of the, if not the best defensive units year in and year out over the past 9 seasons. Dungy also brought in two notable black coaches: Herman Edwards as an Assistant Head Coach/Secondary Coach and Lovie Smith as a linebackers coach. As the Buccaneers gained notoriety and success, teams began to take notice and in 2001 Herman Edwards left to become the head coach of the New York Jets and Lovie Smith left to become the defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams and in 2004 Smith became the head coach of the Chicago Bears. Dungy simply awarded Edwards and Smith with the same opportunities he was given when he was a part of the Minnesota Vikings and head coach at the time Denny Green hired him to be the defensive coordinator.

	Dungy has had a major impact on minority coaching opportunities. (Source: CNNSI.com)

Dungy's impact in his Tampa days is obviously a positive in the attempt to create equal coaching opportunities but it doesn't stand-alone. There are plenty of developments that are worth holding up. If the rumours about Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel becoming the next coach of the Cleveland Browns are true then the NFL will have a minimum of 6 black head coaches running teams next season (Dungy, Edwards, Smith, Green, Marvin Lewis, and Crennel). Another reason for optimism is the number of black assistant coaches has increased by roughly 10% over the past ten years. When you consider that being an assistant coach is the most direct path to becoming a head coach it is certainly encouraging knowing there are more quality minority head coaching prospects moving up the ranks.

The biggest impact of the NFL's improved measures of racial equality will be felt a few years from now when black players who have played under some of these coaches decide to pursue a career in coaching. Would it surprise anyone to see guys like Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp chase the previously unattainable goal of coaching in the NFL? Just like Doug Williams, Randall Cunningham and Warren Moon rose to the top and gave birth to QB opportunities for Vick, McNabb, Culpepper, and Leftwich so will the success of Dungy, Green, Edwards and Lewis give birth to a new crop of coaches.