Was thinking about this regarding the Dolphins current situation. They still have a Head Coach in Sparano, but apparently are talking to Harbaugh. If they decide they want (and can come to terms with) Harbaugh and fire Sparano, they still have to interview a minority candidate, who obviously WON'T get the job. Is this just a case of a rule sounding good in theory, but really being shit? How would you like to the minority candidate?
Dolphins: "Thanks for flying down to meet with us. We hope you enjoyed the flight."
Dennis Green: "I appreciate you bringing me in."
Dolphins: "OK, I think we're done here. Enjoy the flight back."
How does that possibly create opportunity for minority coaches?
I think we should only keep the Rooney Rule if we are assured after each failed interview that Denny Green gives a press conference and moans about the team he interviewed with being "who we thought they were". I could listen to that, Jim Mora's "playoffs?", and AI's "we're talkin' about practice?" soundbites on a constant loop. Maybe even throw in a Ricky Watters "I mean, for who, for what?" just to break it up a little.
But yeah, the Rooney Rule is past it's usefulness - everybody other than Al Davis is going to hire the best person for the job, race doesn't matter.
I wonder how that rule's actually written. Does it specifically say that an African-American must be interviewed? Or are they covered if they hire Tom Flores without interviewing a Black coach? Did they actually think about all of the ramifications?
SuperHornet's Athletics Hall of Fame includes Jacksonville State kicker Ashley Martin, the first girl to score in a Division I football game. She kicked 3 PATs in a 2001 game for J-State.
SuperHornet wrote:I wonder how that rule's actually written. Does it specifically say that an African-American must be interviewed? Or are they covered if they hire Tom Flores without interviewing a Black coach? Did they actually think about all of the ramifications?
If you have a coach in mind, why go thru the charade?
In Dallas' case, I'm not so sure it was a charade. I don't think Jones was convinced until after he did some outside interviews.
The Raiders may not have anything to worry about. Rumor published in The Record out of Stockton today is that former UOP QB and assistant coach Hue Jackson (now the Raiders' OC), having interviewed with the Whiners (probably in Jon's "charade" to cover an anticipated hire of Harbaugh), is the next Raiders' HC.
SuperHornet's Athletics Hall of Fame includes Jacksonville State kicker Ashley Martin, the first girl to score in a Division I football game. She kicked 3 PATs in a 2001 game for J-State.
SuperHornet wrote:I wonder how that rule's actually written. Does it specifically say that an African-American must be interviewed? Or are they covered if they hire Tom Flores without interviewing a Black coach? Did they actually think about all of the ramifications?
There must be a minority interviewed. Detroit got hit by this a couple years ago when they hired Steve Mariucci without interviewing a minority.
This rule sucks, it really does.
The other thing I laugh at here is the Dolphins and the way this is going and the fact the league isn't going to hit them with anything, and here is why.
They currently have a head coach under contract. They are openly shopping for a new coach. If a coach was under contract and looked for a new job he is hit for breach of contract and is fined/fired. Look at BC's head coach last year, or the year before that. There are a couple other cases of coaches getting fined/fired because of this.
The other question I have is this: is a team in violation of the Rooney Rule if they fail to interview a minority BECAUSE NONE APPLIED? To me, that's about as anal as the NBA's interpretation of the leaving the bench during a fight rule.
SuperHornet's Athletics Hall of Fame includes Jacksonville State kicker Ashley Martin, the first girl to score in a Division I football game. She kicked 3 PATs in a 2001 game for J-State.
SuperHornet wrote:The other question I have is this: is a team in violation of the Rooney Rule if they fail to interview a minority BECAUSE NONE APPLIED? To me, that's about as anal as the NBA's interpretation of the leaving the bench during a fight rule.
I believe so.
The way I understand it is a minority MUST be interviewed.
It's a rule put in by a bunch of white men trying not to seem racist when all they are doing is then forcing patronization of minority professionals on teams. The rule it self is racist.
There was discussion on a few years ago on how this rule might hurt minority candidates because the same guys could repeatedly be interviewed and passed over. They would begin to look bad because they were repeatedly rejected.