NFL head coaching hiring cycle shows signs of diversity improvement

The minority hiring gains the NFL had seen in teams’ front offices in recent years had not translated into progress in the diversity of the league’s head coaches, but that changed in recent weeks with the latest hiring cycle.

NFL teams hired four minority head coaches — three of them Black — among eight vacancies, providing a significant boost to the league’s efforts. League leaders and others involved in promoting diversity in the NFL’s hiring practices now must hope the gains are a sign of lasting progress.