Ex-commissioner Tagliabue not pleased with Rooney Rule progress
When former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue implemented the Rooney Rule in 2003, he envisioned that progress would show after 13 years.
However, Tagliabue - who retired from the post in 2006 - is not impressed with his rule's effect on the current coaching landscape. The policy requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching and senior football operations positions.
"I don’t think the Rooney Rule has done as much as anyone hoped it would," Tagliabue said to Danial Kaplan of SportsBusiness Daily, via ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio. "What is it, five out of 32? ... Everyone feels, I am sure, that it would be nice if there was more talent rising to the top."
As it stands, there are six minority head coaches in the NFL - Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals), Todd Bowles (New York Jets), Hue Jackson (Cleveland Browns), Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers), and Ron Rivera (Carolina Panthers) - and only four general managers.