The NFL announced last week that all 32 teams must hire an offensive assistant coach who is either a female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority. The move comes as the league continues to take heat for the lack of diversity on coaching staffs.
Jackson State coach Deion Sanders has been outspoken on this issue. He previously said that he wants the NFL to create three new expansion teams and mandate Black ownership for the teams. Sanders said that to reach true equality, you’ve got to start from the top down with the decision-makers. He said the current group of owners can’t be forced to make hires.
The new rule effectively is a quota system, earmarking one spot on each team for a minority assistant coach. Sanders shared his thoughts on the rule in a video on his Instagram page Monday .
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“I like it. I don’t know if I love it, but I like it. Because I don’t like anyone forcing anyone’s hand, but for opportunity I guess sometimes we have to,” Sanders said.
The NFL already has the Rooney Rule, which went into effect in 2003, requiring teams to interview candidates of color for head coach and senior operation jobs.
Sanders, who won FCS coach of the year last season, said he wants to see a similar rule at the college level.
“College football should mirror pros in all facets. Rules, the thought processes of the game, and hiring as well,” Sanders said. “Just imagine if all of college football were mandated to hire a female or a member of an ethnic or racial minority as an offensive assistant coach … that would be awesome. I would love to see this implemented in college football. I don’t like nothing forced, but I’ll take it.”
Sanders said he hired a diverse staff because “How can I ask for something I’m not willing to give?”
“The reason this is fascinating is because we have our head equipment person is a female African American,” Sanders said. “Our head trainer is a female Caucasian, and with the minority practices we’ve already practiced that because the minorities would be Caucasians in this realm of HBCUs and our offensive coordinator, tight ends coach, offensive line coach, three (graduate assistants), we’re already practicing equality.”
Emphasizing the message, Sanders captioned the video with another note. Here’s an excerpt:
“I truly dislike forcing someone’s hand to do what’s right but in this situation it is what it is,” Sanders said. We should never desire what we’re not willing to give & the search for equality must be displayed at all times on & off the fields of life. I pray for Consistent change daily, and soon WE’RE gonna own teams and we must be willing to display what we desire.”
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Deion Sanders on new NFL rule forcing teams to hire minority assistants