The ones who made it
In the NFL’s 102-year history, 26 Black men have served as head coaches. Two have died. Twenty-four remain.
This summer, 16 of those 24 sat down with The Washington Post to tell their stories and share their perspective on why the NFL’s inclusion problem persists. They have grounds for grievance, but their stories reflect the pride in the paths they took, the pressure they felt, the value of their contributions and the legacy they leave behind.
Black Out
This football season, The Washington Post is examining the NFL’s decades-long failure to equitably promote Black coaches to top jobs, despite the multibillion-dollar league being fueled by Black players.
There was hesitance, even fatigue, among those who spoke with The Post — and some who didn’t — about why Black coaches are deserving of more opportunities in the NFL. Most had to be convinced to participate, expressing doubt that this time their words would be heeded.
“Sometimes I wonder, ‘Just how much progress have we made?’ ” asked Anthony Lynn, the former Los Angeles Chargers coach.
Those who spoke did so, they said, mostly for those who never got the chance and for those who continue to be ignored. There is a determination among the ones who made it that they are no longer anomalies — and that this small fraternity of Black coaches no longer remains so exclusive.
We interviewed 16 current and former Black head coaches. These are their stories.
THE PATH
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Jim Caldwell
Todd Bowles
David Culley
Vance Joseph
Raheem Morris
Hue Jackson
Leslie Frazier
Lovie Smith
Mel Tucker
Tony Dungy
Terry Robiskie
Anthony Lynn
Marvin Lewis
Mike Singletary
Romeo Crennel
Herm Edwards
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THE PRESSURE
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Lovie Smith
Jim Caldwell
Mike Singletary
Raheem Morris
Herm Edwards
Terry Robiskie
Mel Tucker
Todd Bowles
David Culley
Leslie Frazier
Tony Dungy
Anthony Lynn
Hue Jackson
Romeo Crennel
Marvin Lewis
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THE VALUE
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Tony Dungy
Hue Jackson
Vance Joseph
Raheem Morris
Anthony Lynn
Herm Edwards
Todd Bowles
Terry Robiskie
Mel Tucker
Romeo Crennel
Leslie Frazier
Lovie Smith
Mike Singletary
David Culley
Jim Caldwell
Marvin Lewis
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THE LEGACY
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Anthony Lynn
Terry Robiskie
Raheem Morris
Lovie Smith
Jim Caldwell
Hue Jackson
Marvin Lewis
Mike Singletary
Todd Bowles
Romeo Crennel
David Culley
Mel Tucker
Leslie Frazier
Herm Edwards
Vance Joseph
Tony Dungy
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End of carousel