Could Student-Athletes Make A Difference In NCAA’s Poor Record Of Hiring Black Football Coaches?

Roy S. Johnson, a Yahoo Sports blogger, had an interesting take on the sort of complex issue of so few black head coaches and, seemingly, so few opportunities for blacks to become head coaches in major Division I college football. Johnson is of the belief that the black student-athlete can have a significant impact on the apparent unwillingness for many schools to strongly consider blacks as candidates for head coaching jobs at the Division I level.

Here is a passage from Johnson’s blog/column:
In his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech former NFL tight end Kellen Winslow charged a generation of recruits to leverage their opportunity to influence change: “‘Son,’” he said at one point, speaking as if he was a college coach recruiting a top player, “‘we’d really like for you to play for State U. We have a fine academic program, and a winning tradition, and it’s close to home, so your folks can see you play a lot.’ — Player to coach — “‘That sounds great, but it bothers me that there are only two African-American coaches on your staff, and neither one of them is the offensive or defensive coordinator.’”
“With these few words, African-American athletes can begin to open doors of opportunities that for whatever reason were once closed to African-Americans.”

It’s an intriguing argument, but I have to wonder how receptive many young black athletes would be to such an argument. Is there enough forward thinking in student-athletes to imagine what it will be like for many of them who may want to become head coaches someday? Would this be enough to persuade many of the administrators at these powerful schools to be more open-minded to minority candidates? Only time will tell. But, it would be interesting if Winslow’s advice was heeded.

Roy S. Johnson:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/Like-their-predecessors-young-black-athletes-mu?urn=top,126226#remaining-content