Update >> The NFL has now formally announced a number of "steps to enhance diversity."
Yesterday we laid out a number of proposals that were set to go in front of NFL owners today for an important vote.
One of those, a proposal that centered on incentivizing teams that hire a minority coach or GM with improved draft position was tabled, but another proposal has reportedly been approved.
According to
Source: NFL owners have approved a rule change that will prevent teams from blocking position coaches from interviewing from coordinator positions. Important change for a lot of folks.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 19, 2020
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Albert Breer, owners passed a rule change that will prevent teams from blocking position coaches for interviewing for coordinator positions with other teams. Breer goes on to note that the role cannot be a co-coordinator role, and there cannot be another coordinator on that side of the ball. The job has to report directly to the head coach and lead meetings on that side of the ball. With all that said, the guy doesn't have to be the playcaller. Jenny Vrentas adds that the rule "also prevents contracts from including restrictive language like a right to match, requirement for compensation if the employee goes to another team or any commitment from the employee to refuse any interview requests." The thought behind this change is that by removing that barrier, minority coaches will have one less barrier to climbing the coaching ladder and earning valuable coordinator experience before a head coaching opportunity. Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.