Proposed modifications to the NFL’s Rooney Rule were announced on Friday in an effort to get more teams to hire minority coaches and general managers.
Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn — one of four minority head coaches in the NFL — is not a fan.
“I think sometimes you can do the wrong thing while trying to do the right thing,” Lynn told Zach Gelb of CBS Sports. “I think that there are a lot of qualified African-American coaches right now that could be a head coach in this league, and I just pray that we do our due diligence and give these guys an opportunity.”
“There are some qualified applicants and they need an opportunity. I think this is, out of desperation, this is something that has been thrown out there. It is what it is… There are a lot of brilliant guys that can call plays but can’t lead a damn team.”
Lynn also thinks teams should open up the coaching pool to more people, not just coordinators. Lynn was mainly a running backs coach and assistant head coach before getting the job with the Chargers.
“I just think also we can open it up to more people. We’re stuck in this, ‘you gotta be a coordinator’,” Lynn said. “I understand the progression to become a head coach, but I really believe some of our natural leaders are assistant coaches or assistant head coaches. We tend to not go there. I believe becoming a head coach has nothing to do with being a coordinator. I think those are two different skill sets, being a leader of a franchise and calling plays. There are a lot of brilliant guys who can call plays but can’t lead a damn team. I just think if we open up the pool, more minorities will have opportunities and I think our chances will be better of becoming head coaches. That’s just my opinion”
Follow @MySportsUpdate on twitter for all the latest info from around the NFL.
Be the first to comment