NFL voids stipulation in hasslett's contract

[johnerotten]

due to the rooney rule stating minorities must interview for nfl job openings,the NFL has voided a stipulation in st louis ram's interim coach jim
hasslett's contract.they voided a stipulation that would have made him head coach if the rams would have won 6 games this season while he was interim head coach.if he wins 6 games,i think he deserves it.the rams have played better for him than they ever did their old coach.rules are rules though.
gotta believe if they keeep on getting better,he'll still be named head coach.

[WaldSkins]

I think this is a stupid rule. The rams are going to hire him at the end of the season, so why even waste some "minorities" time when they know who their going to hire. This is 2008, does the nfl still think that race is an issue??? Why can't a team hire who they want no matter what race,sex, religon they are.

[Daseal]

Waldskins -- while I don't agree with the rule in this case, the idea is that interviewing minorities helps minorities build a network and get interviewing experience. Both extremely important, especially in a field like the NFL.

[Lotus]

I agree that encouraging the hiring of minorities is important in the NFL.

This seems less about Haslett's job and more about contract language. That is, the Rams can still come to an oral agreement with Haslett, and then after the season they can interview a minority candidate before hiring Haslett again.

Also, don't forget that the contract stipulation is 6 wins. Although the Rams have looked much better under Haslett, the Rams won't sneak up on people so much any more, and it is possible that they will have trouble delivering 4 more wins.

[johnerotten]

i think that giving everybody a shot to talk with a team is fair,but i think that the league did this more to keep activists like jesse jackson and al sharpton off their asses.
the last thing the league wants is for somebody to come out and say that the league is'nt living up to its word during the interviews to fill head coaching vacancies.
i see this as the league stopping a headache in bad publicity before it starts.

[Daseal]

The real question, is how come the Seattle Seahawks haven't been told they need to interview a minority coach? What about in indy where the next coach, whenever Dungy leaves, is in place -- but is an African American. Do they have to talk to other candidates? I'm fine with the rule, but stay consistent.

[MonkFan4Life]

I believe it was Dan Rooney who called the NFL about the Hasslet hiring. Didn't even get to Jesse Jacskon or Al Sharpton. Saw it on ESPN last week or so I think, Rooney's a white male right ? I mean seriously, the rule has gotten out of hand in a way but it's because a lot of Black coaches weren't given a fair shake years before. So do you feel that it is okay to do away with it now because everything is "okay" ? I think it is a good thing to have, especially when during coaching searches the Black interviewee is always referred to as the guy to comply with the Rooney Rule on t.v. Or maybe I shouldnt say always, but sometimes, a lot of times they are. Just my opinion. I think Hasslett should've been allowed the job. I mean he already works for the team. Now if a team is going outside the organization, or it is during the offseason then yeah bring in at least 1 minority and pick your coach. That's what I would do. Goodell fucked up here, not the potential mass protests by Jesse or Al.

[johnerotten]

goodell screwed up,but i still think they stopped this before it became a distraction.
the league is in this business to make money,i'm sure this economy has hurt their pocketbooks too.they do'nt want to lose any more $$$$ than they have to lose.

[Dirtbag59]

Damn the NFL. Always trying to keep the white man down.

But in all honesty this is a little ridiculous. I think theres two conditions that override the Rooney Rule. Either the coach your looking to bring in is a legend (a la Gibbs, Parcels, or Cowher) or you secretly hired a coach to be not only a coordinator, but a just in case head coach. Still though I think the Rams have every right to at least give Haslet a little more incentive and motivation. Though I would set the contract up where he definately gets the job if the team finishes with 9 wins. Maybe with 7 or 8.

[WaldSkins]

The best coach should get the job hands down. Color shouldnt even matter.

[DarkKnight]

Originally Posted by WaldSkins

I think this is a stupid rule. The rams are going to hire him at the end of the season, so why even waste some "minorities" time when they know who their going to hire. This is 2008, does the nfl still think that race is an issue??? Why can't a team hire who they want no matter what race,sex, religon they are.

how about hiring none at all.....or even just drop the rooney rule and keep all minorities from getting any oppourtunites? only reason you feel that way cause race is involved!!! this is typical thinking?

[DarkKnight]

Originally Posted by WaldSkins

The best coach should get the job hands down. Color shouldnt even matter.

who is the best coach, how do you determine that, by who he worked for, what he's done in his past....that means, no-one knew who Dungy was until Tampa took him.....who you think the best guy is?????? thats determine on what?

[Monkeydad]

This rule is Reverse Racism.

[CRedskinsRule]

I think an exception should be long term team assistants. if you have a guy on your staff you know you want, then you ought to be able to hire him straight up.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

There's nothing wrong with the rule. The league wants diversity. Let's not forget that the team owners run the league, and make the rules.

Haslett's agent should have known this. They should have made the clause similar to G. Williams' when he was here. If Haslett wins 6 games, and doesn't become the head coach next season, then the Rams owe him $$.