Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Is Disappointed In Lack of Diversity In NFL Coaches

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin Is Disappointed In Lack of Diversity In NFL Coaches 

Pittsburg Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, opens up on the need of more diverse hiring in NFL coaches around the league. This offseason, eight new head coaches were hired although, only one hire was a minority. Tomlin believes the numbers speak for themselves. He says,

“I think the numbers speak for themselves in that regard. It was a disappointing hiring cycle for someone who watches it like I do, knowing some of the deserving men I do who I thought should have gotten an opportunity and didn’t. But we’ll continue to work and fight for equality and opportunity.”

Tomlin continues, speaking on fighting for more opportunities for people of color on and off the field.

“We’ll continue to fight for that, not only in terms of head coaching searches, but maybe other areas of the profession as well. I know there’s some discussions in the offseason regarding some of that.”

The super bowl winning coach, Tomlin, 47, started his NFL career as a offensive coach at Arkansas State University. Tomlin modeled his career after successful black coaches watching defensive-minded coaches such as Tony Dungy and Ray Rhodes ascend to head coaching positions in the league. As he prepares for his 13th season with the Steelers, only two of the 15 hired the past two years are black, including just one of the eight this season. Tomlin says,

“If offensive coaches are in vogue in this hiring cycle, and guys in my age group, particularly those of color, have been advised in that way, then obviously there might be a void of offensive coaching talent.

With the Cincinnati Bengals firing of Marvin Lewis, Tomlin is now the longest-tenured minority head coach in the NFL with the Steelers. Tomlin has a career record of 125-66-1 with eight playoff appearances and one Super Bowl win.

Do you agree with Tomlin’s comments on the lack of diversity in the NFL? Let us know in the comments!