Pete Carroll to Seattle: Does The Rooney Rule Even Matter?
By now, you know that USC coach Pete Carroll is heading to Seattle to coach the Seahawks. From a football standpoint, the move is questionable. While Carroll has been great at USC (albeit with some great talent) his last venture to the NFL did not work so well. What makes him think it will work with a less talented team in Seattle? But I digress. The main part of the post is this: Does the Rooney Rule even matter?
The Rooney Rule states that all NFL teams must interview one minority candidate before filling a coaching or front office position. Sounds like a good idea. There are not enough minorities in top positions in the NFL. But, in the Seattle case, it barely even applied. Sure, the Seahawks interview Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier (an African-American), but that was after their interest in Carroll had been identified, and the deal had been reported to be all but done. So, for all intents and purposes, the Seahawks interviewed Frazier because they had to.
If teams are going to do this, if they are going to interview a minority candidate just because they have to, then why have this rule? Why string minority candidates along for no reason? This rule is just there for publicity. It's not there to help minority candidates. In fact, it seems to hurt them. Frazier didn't need to go through that 4 hour interview. He has a game to prepare for next week. If he was being seriously considered, than fine. But with Carroll seemingly the only choice, there's no reason to interview Frazier.
The NFL needs to ensure that minority candidates are getting a fair shake, but the Rooney Rule needs to be better designed. Why not have NFL teams publicly state their interest in potential coaches? That way, we know when interest in a minority candidate is just for show. Whatever does happen, the NFL needs to make the Rooney Rule stronger, and better.
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January 9th, 2010 - 23:46
Rooney rule is garbage…It’s the owner’s money going into the team…They should be free to interview and hire anyone they want!
January 9th, 2010 - 23:46
The Rooney Rule is a joke and I would be seriously insulted if I were Frazier.