SI.COM Columnist Arash Markazi recently posted on his blog that the NCAA should consider formulating its own version of the "Rooney Rule". This, for those keeping score at home, is the NFL's policy requiring teams looking to fill coaching vacancies to consider minority candidates. Markazi feels that with the current climate in Div. College football as it is, the NCAA should create a similar policy.
The TRUTH could not disagree more. Ron Prince, Ty Willingham, Sylvester Croom. What do they all have in common? Many things, besides the obvious, they are coaches with losing records. They are also coaches with losing records at programs, that at some point in recent memory, had enjoyed consistent success. These coaches unfortunately were not able to maintain that status.
Let me be clear and address what some of you may already be thinking about the TRUTH. I have nothing personal against these guys. In fact, I think that Croom, specifically, is the epitomy of class and professionalism. I sincerely hope that he gets another shot.
But unlike some of my fellow commentators on Markazi's blog, I feel that imposing a "Rooney Rule" is not only a poor decision but also insulting to minority coaches. As several minority friends have told me, they look at the NFL's policy as an insult. They interpret it as less of an opportunity and more of patronization. One can interpret it as saying;
"we know we will get criticized for not hiring a minority, so here is our list of token candidates that we can say we considered, but never really did because we are going to hire who we wanted anyway"
Also, I am wondering if the NCCA would be able to to this legally? I could see a pathway with public universities, but can they impose this on those institutes sitting on the plush lawns of private donations and alumni benefactors? Doubtful.
The cold hard reality of this is that Div I athletics, especially football, is a business. And a very lucrative one that provides benefits to not only the programs but their respective schools institution wide. You win, you make money. You lose or, or in the case of some of the previously mentioned coachs, not win as much, you do not make as much money. No policy is going to change that or, prevent these coaches from being on the hot seat once hired.
TRUTH
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Comments (7) Add A Comment
Wow a blog from The Truth and he wasn't trying to be funny. Seriously though I have to agree with you. As a black male I have always felt that things like the Rooney Rule, and Affirmative Action in general is patrinization. A man should be hired on his merit and not the color of his skin. If the President's and Athletic Directors find a coach that they are comfortable with and believe that he can be a winner then it shouldn't matter what race he is.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18081)
Hova, thanks for your take on that. Another question that comes up is if the NCAA in fact implements this rule, what are the stakes? Fines? Sanctions? Postseason bans?
The TRUTH
Someplacein, OH
Total Comments (14438)
This is my stance, if you interview 5 guys. And all 5 guy are sufficient and good enough for the job, and they happen to be all white, what is wrong with that? Maybe some coach that is black isn't getting interviewed and is upset might need to realize, maybe it is something other than my skin color?
MDPRIDE111 is ready
Sparks, MD
Total Comments (2611)
I would assume it would be fines. Sanctions and Postseason bans sound a little too harsh.
J. HOVA: BROOKLYN
Brooklyn, NY
Total Comments (18081)
Your comments also make we wonder about this Black Coaches Association we've heard of. If this group still exists they have been pretty quiet.
The TRUTH
Someplacein, OH
Total Comments (14438)
The success of the program is far greater and important than hiring a coach based on anything less than past performance.
Crimson02
Total Comments (425)
Good comments man!
The TRUTH
Someplacein, OH
Total Comments (14438)
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