This is list will be updated when Black and Brown coaches are hired in the NFL.
It’s well documented that NFL teams failed miserably this winter as it relates to hiring Black head coaches. Six of the seven vacancies have been filled and not one of them by a Black coach despite the pool of experienced and qualified candidates.
While this is infuriating, there are some interesting facts about current NFL staffs.
The Bucs, who have 11 Black coaches on their staff, made history as the first team to have three black coaches lead the offense, defensive and special teams to the Super Bowl. Their opponent, the Chiefs, have Eric Bieniemy as their offensive coordinator. That means that no matter who wins Super Bowl LV on February 7th, a Black coordinator will be raising the Lombardi trophy.
While the NFL currently only has two Black head coaches (Mike Tomlin of the Steelers and Brian Flores of the Dolphins) and one Latino coach (Ron Rivera of Washington), January did bring some good news for Black and Brown coaches in the NFL. Below is a running list of these hires.
On January 14th, it was revealed that the Jets were hiring Robert Saleh as their head coach. Saleh, the former 49ers defensive coordinator. became the first Muslim American head coach in NFL history.
On January 21st, the Rams hired Raheem Morris as their defensive coordinator. Morris, the former interim head coach of the Falcons, replaces Brandon Staley who became the Chargers head coach.
On January 22nd, the Bears promoted Sean Desai to defensive coordinator. Desai becomes the first Indian American coach in NFL history.
On January 23rd, the Lions hired Aaron Glenn as their defensive coordinator. Glenn was the Saints’ secondary coach for the past five seasons and played in the league for 15 years.
On January 24th, news broke that Anthony Lynn would become Detroit’s new offensive coordinator. Lynn, the former head coach of the Chargers, was fired at the end of the 2020 season.
On January 25th, it was revealed that the Chargers were hiring Renaldo Hill as their defensive coordinator. Hill played in the league for 10 years, and was the defensive backs coach with the Broncos. He replaces Gus Bradley, who became the Raiders defensive coordinator.
On January 25th, the Colts announced that they promoted quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady to offensive coordinator. Brady replaces Nick Sirianni, who left to become the Eagles head coach.
On January 25th, the Lions announced that Duce Staley was hired as their new assistant head coach and running backs coach. Staley, who was passed up for the Eagles head coaching job after 10 years on their coaching staff, was let out of his contract to make the move to Detroit.
On January 25th, the Steelers hired Alfredo Roberts as their new tight ends coach. Roberts held the same position with the Chargers for four years and replaces James Daniel, who retired after the 2020 season.
On January 26th, Washington named Jennifer King as their assistant running backs coach. She was the team’s full-year coaching intern in 2020 and now becomes the first African American female assistant position coach in NFL history. King also becomes the second female assistant position coach in the NFL behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant defensive line coach Lori Locust.
On January 27th, it was revealed the Eagles were hiring Florida Gators’ offensive coordinator Brian Johnson as their new quarterbacks coach.
On January 27th, it was revealed that the Texans were hiring David Culley as their new head coach. Culley, a former assistant coach with the Ravens, becomes the first Black head coach hired in the NFL in 2021 (out of seven vacancies).
On January 28th, it was revealed that the Texans were hiring Pep Hamilton as their new quarterbacks coach. Hamilton, the former quarterbacks coach for the Chargers last season, was the head coach and GM of the XFL’s DC Defenders before it ceased operations. He also coached Andrew Luck at both Stanford and with the Colts.
On January 29th, it was revealed that the Texans were hiring Lovie Smith as their defensive coordinator. Lovie spent the last five years as the head coach of the Fighting Illini’. He was a head coach in the NFL for 11 years (9 with the Bears, 2 with the Bucs).
