Lack of African-American Head Football Coaches in Div. I Institutions

1. Lack of African-American Head Football Coaches in Div. I Institutions Ryan Dunham & Guy Phillips

2. Brief Synopsis and Background The representation of African-Americans in Div. I Football Head Coaching Positions is poor to say the least. • Percentage of African-American/Minority Coaches in Sports • NBA (37%) • NFL (19%) • MLB (30%) • NCAA Football (2.5%)

3. Theories on Why This is a Problem Today • Alumni and Boosters will not support the program if an African-American is the head coach • Not that numerous of qualified assistants available for promotion. • Ol’ Boy Network/Racial Discrimination • Money • To Big of a Risk for Institutions/Programs

4. Theories on Why This is a Problem Today (Continued) • Zero Second Chance Opportunities • It’s a Mystery • Jumping Early to NFL/Not Getting Degree • It’s Not a Problem

5. False Justifications for not Hiring an African-American Coach • Expressing that African-Americans are plentiful as assistant coaches on their staff • African-Americans are being considered for coordinator positions and should continue to pay their dues • African-Americans are leaders in positions other than head coaches in athletic department • Many other candidates were more qualified for the job • African-Americans that applied needed more experience • The campus community supported the internal hire that was promoted to head coach • The head coach they selected was the “best fit” for the job • Diversity has been improving

6. Ethical issues involved • Respect • Dishonesty • Racism • Fairness • Sportsmanship • Impartiality • Accountability • Stereotyping

7. Defining Moment • African-American players have historically been denied access to participate on the field at all schools, until a defining moment. Sam “Bam” Cunningham dominated a 1971 contest between Alabama and the University of Southern California (USC). During the contest, Cunningham (Black) shined against the all-white Alabama team. The fans in attendance shouted “Get us one, get us one.” The next year Alabama allowed Wilbur Jackson (Black) to compete at the same position as Cunningham had represented. This was the historical moment the “changed the game.” It is often wondered what this moment will be for African-American head coaches in college football?

8. The Right Thing to Do • Make the numbers more Representative of actual Participation! • Report Card • What is being looked at? • How is each being scored? • What does it each letter grade equal? • Is it working?

10. Examples of an “F” Grade • recent examples of not having the right process are • South Carolina • Detroit Lions • Examples of an “A” Grade • (Ohio University)

11. Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males • Organizers have set up three primary components. • The first part it called “Advanced Coaching Program” • The second is called “Expert Coaching Program • the third is called “Executive Coaching Program” • The NCAA contributed $180,000 and the NFL added $70,000 towards the program.

12. Objectives • To increase the understanding and application of skills necessary to secure head coaching positions. • To increase the understanding and awareness of competencies necessary for success in head coaching at the intercollegiate level. • To motivate assistant coaches and coordinators to pursue careers as head coaches at the Division I-A level. • To introduce ethnic minority football coaches to senior-level coaches and administrators through a mentoring program. • To raise public awareness of the existing talent pool of ethnic minority football coaches.

13. Advanced Coaching Program • The “Advanced Coaching Program,” which is a three-day workshop, which is a three-day workshop to be conducted at the front end of the AFCA convention. Those sessions will focus on communications (public speaking, booster/alumni relations, interviewing skills, relationships with players and parents); fiscal responsibilities (fund-raising, budgeting); building a successful program (managing staff, relationships with presidents, administrators and community); moral and ethical considerations (sports wagering, agents, NCAA rules compliance); and academic issues (academic support, eligibility standards). Current minority coaches with at least four years of coaching experience may apply for this segment of the program.

14. Expert Coaching Program • The second component is an "Expert Coaching Program" aimed at coaches with at least six years of experience. This session will be conducted in conjunction with the Black Coaches Association convention beginning in June 2004. The program is designed to develop innovative coaching approaches, strengthen relationships with players, introduce new game strategies, provide game-day coaching skills and address off-field concerns.

15. Executive Coaching Program • The "Executive Coaching Program" will be conducted for a 12-month period beginning January 1 for selected coaches with at least eight years of coaching experience. This component is the mentoring part of the academy, where participants will travel to meet with assigned "executive coaches" twice during the year. The program provides veteran high-profile head coaches and athletics administrators (directors of athletics or conference commissioners) with selected participants to assist with career development, networking and exposure opportunities.

16. Pseudo research* • I asked a small number of KU football players if they ever thought or had been told that they should coach once their playing careers are over. • About 50% said they would like to coach. • Of the 50%, Only 50% said that they would want to be the head coach, 25% wanted to coach high school, 25% wanted to coach college, the other 50% wanted to be college position coaches(with an emphasis on not wanting to be promoted) • * I received approx the same percentages from both white and black players.