Report: Shanahan to DC done deal

[SBXVII]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I don't take that position (which he clarified) as a negative towards African Americans, I take offense to that attitude of 'tokenism' being the reason the rule is in place. The rule is intended to increase exposure to other candidates that owners may not have considered otherwise. I am sure Norm Chow and Ron Rivera wish the Rooney Rule was in place 10-12 years ago when they were coming up in the coaching ranks and neither of them is African American.

The Rooney Rule says nothing about HIRING (which is where the claim of 'tokenism' would be applicable) but simply interviewing. If there were 8 openings this offseason and 8 different minority candidates were interviewed and 8 white guys were hired, there would be no complaints from the Fritz Pollard Alliance because the Rooney Rule would have been followed and all teams would be in compliance with it.

The best application of the rule is in our case. We know that Shanny is going to be the coach, but we interviewed Jerry Gray. Now let's say the Texans make the decision to fire Kubiak. Snyder may call Bob McNair and say, 'hey we interviewed Jerry Gray for our HC position. He's got some great ideas on the 3-4 defense like you guys run, came in with a dynamite plan and presentation and I know you are looking for a defensive minded coach. He wasn't a fit for us because we wanted an offensive guy but maybe you should give him a call.' That is how the Rooney Rule is supposed to work, it has nothing to do with tokenism, hiring percentages or quotas.

My issues have nothing to do with skin color, only speaking half cocked on things without knowing the facts.

I agree black candidates need exposure and thats what the Rooney Rule was meant for but my issues are about interviewing black coach's who don't have a chance in hell of getting the job but are interviewed simply to fulfill the rule vs. interviewing actual qualified black coach's. Yes Gray is qualified I guess. I don't know. I would like to think DS, maybe G.Williams, or someone associated with the team would make that call or when another team contacts the Skins someone would suggest Gray. I would like to think that's how most of the great black HC's got their start. I'd like to see more teams coaching up or giving black coach's better chances at OC so they in the long run get better chances of getting HCing jobs.

Just like when you apply for a job you don't apply for one job and hope you get it. You apply for many jobs in hopes you get one of them. Your chances are better. No different then teams hiring more black position coach's which brings about more candidates for HCing jobs vs. one or two candidates.

The sad thing is I think we all are thinking along the same lines but for whatever reason it seemed like you got offended with all of us for saying its a BS rule. As if we are racist and don't think blacks should be given a chance. When in reality we are saying teams are not even interviewing qualified candidates in some instances just to satisfy the Rooney Rule leaving actual qualified candidates out. Gray may be qualified but how can you say he was given a fair shake when he's still working under someone who's in a position he interviewing for?

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by SBXVII

I agree black candidates need exposure and thats what the Rooney Rule was meant for but my issues are about interviewing black coach's who don't have a chance in hell of getting the job but are interviewed simply to fulfill the rule vs. interviewing actual qualified black coach's. Yes Gray is qualified I guess. I don't know. I would like to think DS, maybe G.Williams, or someone associated with the team would make that call or when another team contacts the Skins someone would suggest Gray. I would like to think that's how most of the great black HC's got their start. I'd like to see more teams coaching up or giving black coach's better chances at OC so they in the long run get better chances of getting HCing jobs.

Just like when you apply for a job you don't apply for one job and hope you get it. You apply for many jobs in hopes you get one of them. Your chances are better. No different then teams hiring more black position coach's which brings about more candidates for HCing jobs vs. one or two candidates.

The sad thing is I think we all are thinking along the same lines but for whatever reason it seemed like you got offended with all of us for saying its a BS rule. As if we are racist and don't think blacks should be given a chance. When in reality we are saying teams are not even interviewing qualified candidates in some instances just to satisfy the Rooney Rule leaving actual qualified candidates out. Gray may be qualified but how can you say he was given a fair shake when he's still working under someone who's in a position he interviewing for?

2 points to what was bolded. I agree it was a bit of a 'sham' interview, as some Rooney interview are. Where the value is in a scenario like that is the ability to give a recommendation to another owner based on an interview you may not have otherwise done.

If I was authoring the rule I would have put in the language that you cannot interview someone who is working for or has worked for you in the past 3 years to satisfy the rule. You would have to interview someone unique to your organization in order to be in compliance.

What I find/found offensive is the notion that the rule is in place to fulfill quotas and tokens. Not only is it inaccurate, it's offensive because of the implication that those coaches would only be hired to satisfy a 'BS rule'.