Minority coaches criticize the impact of the Rooney Rule in NFL
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 23, 2026, 12:13 PM
Last updated Jul 23, 2026
On July 23, 2026, minority coaches voiced their disappointment with the Rooney Rule, claiming it offers little benefit. Patrick Graham, the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator, shared his frustrations after a past interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he felt his candidacy was just a formality. Eric Bieniemy and others have faced similar situations, often feeling that interviews are conducted merely to fulfill requirements. Thomas Brown, the New England Patriots' tight ends coach, emphasized the need for genuine intent in hiring practices.
- •Minority coaches report the Rooney Rule has not improved their hiring chances.
- •Patrick Graham encountered issues during an interview with Jacksonville in 2025.
- •Eric Bieniemy struggles to secure a head coaching position despite multiple interviews.
- •Thomas Brown calls for genuine hiring intentions from teams.
- •Concerns persist over interviews being conducted for the sake of appearance.
- 12:13 PMYahoo Sports — Minority coaches slam the Rooney Rule
"Minority coaches say the Rooney Rule does not help them
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