Why Aren’t There Any Black Head Coaches in the SEC?
It’s amazing that in 2022 there isn’t one Black head coach in the SEC. Why is this so? There are a number of theories out there, but most people agree that racism is still a factor when it comes to hiring decisions in college sports in the SEC and beyond.
Black head coaches in college football
In recent years, we have seen a slight increase in the number of Black head coaches in college and pro football, but not much. In the NFL, the Rooney Rule requires NFL teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior operations positions.
While the Rooney Rule has not been adopted by colleges, there are now a number of programs aimed at increasing diversity in coaching ranks. For example, the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches provides training and mentorship for minority coaches at all levels of the game.
Despite these efforts, the percentage of Black head coaches in college football remains low. According to a study released earlier this year by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES), 89% of all football head coaches across NCAA Divisions I-III were white.
And although the NCAA has made some changes since Dennis Green was named the first Black head coach of a Power 5 football team back in 1981, “forward progress” — to borrow a football term — seems to have plateaued.
In the SEC, progress has been even slower. It took until 2003 for the conference to see its first Black head coach: Sylvester Croom of Mississippi State. Since then, there have been a few other Black head coaches in the conference, including Kevin Sumlin of Texas A&M and James Franklin of Vanderbilt. Currently, however, the SEC is the only Power 5 conference without any Black — or indeed any non-white — head coach.
This state of things is particularly egregious, considering that upwards of 60% of players and 48% of on-field coaches in the SEC are Black.
Black head coaches in the NFL
The NFL had seen some progress, with the number of Black head coaches slowly increasing over the past few years. However, we’ve seen those numbers start to drop again. This year, there are three Black head coaches in the NFL and two others considered non-white or minority. In 2003, the year the Rooney Rule was adopted, there were just three non-white head coaches in the league.
In addition, many of these hires are typically made by teams that are struggling on the field. In other words, Black coaches are often only given a chance to lead a team when it is already considered to be “rebuilding.”
The Washington Post recently published a fascinating and deeply concerning history of Black head coaches in the NFL and the obstacles they face. Former head coach of the Minnesota Vikings Leslie Frazier was interviewed for the article. He spoke of the seemingly shifting criteria that Black coaches encounter during the hiring process. In his view, the “common theme” was that the owner is “going to hire someone that looks like that owner.”
Why are there no Black head coaches in the SEC?
There are a number of possible explanations for why there are no Black head coaches in the SEC. One theory is that the schools in the SEC are simply not interested in hiring Black candidates. Another possibility is that qualified Black candidates are not being considered for head coaching positions.
It’s also worth noting that, unlike the NFL, college football teams do not have to interview minority candidates for head coaching jobs. There’s no impetus to change the way things have always been done.
Plus, there’s also a strong current of nepotism evident in college football’s “coaching dynasties.” White head coaches are often given leeway to hire family members as assistant coaches, giving them a leg up in moving through the ranks, along with their name recognition.
Racism in college sports
While we can’t say for sure why there are no Black head coaches in the SEC, it’s clear that racism is still a factor when it comes to hiring decisions in college sports. This is evident not only in the lack of diversity among head coaches but also in the way Black athletes are treated by the NCAA.
For example, Black athletes are far more likely to be suspended than their white counterparts. They are also more likely to be recruited for “revenue-generating” sports like football and basketball while being steered away from other programs like golf and tennis.
These disparities exist not only at the collegiate level but all the way down to high school and youth sports. Studies have shown that Black athletes are less likely to receive financial support for their athletic pursuits and are more likely to be disciplined than white athletes.
How to even the playing field
There is no easy solution to the problem of racism in college sports. However, several steps can be taken to increase diversity among head coaches and create a more level playing field for Black athletes.
For starters, colleges could adopt the Rooney Rule and require that all head coaching candidates be interviewed. They could also invest in programs that provide training and mentorship for minority coaches.
The NCAA might also create programs to identify and mentor players, particularly BIPOC players, who demonstrate leadership skills and potential as coaches. After all, these players are students who are attending college to prepare for their careers — they’re not professionals. Few of them (less than 2%) will actually go on to the NFL. If they can’t play pro football, why not give them the tools for another career in the sport? By mentoring these promising players, the NCAA can create a pipeline of diverse coaching talent.
In addition, we need to continue working to address the disparities that exist in college and high school sports of all kinds. This means providing financial support for Black athletes, increasing opportunities for them to participate in non-revenue generating sports, and ensuring that they are treated fairly when it comes to discipline.
By taking these steps, we may begin to see real change in the world of college football.