I've heard that the Steelers would not have considered Mike Tomlin had it not been for the rule and he ended up getting the job. Is this true, or are they trying to justify the rule proposed by their owner?

Mike,

I agree with you that the Rooney Rule isn't really as effective as it should be. But in the NFL, which is really a microcosm of American racism, do you really expect anything different?

Really?! The reason the guy pulled his name from consideration was because he was tired of being a token interviewee? There's a stream of commentary that one could make about the Rooney Rule and it's creation of "tokens," but it's neither here nor there, Mike. Your Colts Insider gave you information that is at odds with what was reported earlier in the morning: that Jim Irsay, the OWNER, says that Caldwell will in fact be the head coach of the reigning "S**per B*wl" champions once Tony Dungy retires (whether this year or next).

So Caldwell's situation appears actually to be much more like Jason Garrett's, where we stayed on with the current team (a playoff team at that) with the promise that he's the next HC hire.

If you know that you'll be the HC of an elite NFL team this year or next, why would you want to leave and take the reigns of a floundering team? Because you want to set yourself up to be fired by the end of your 1st season? Ask Cam Cameron how well that turned out, and let me know what ya hear.

The good ol' boyz are still around and in business. Most owners do make a mockery of the rule because they have a choice prior to the start of the process.

There does not seem to be any evidence the Rooney rule accomplishes what it is supposed to do (presumably increase the number of Black and Hispanic coaches in the NFL). I wish Caldwell had not withdrawn his name from consideration, he would probably have gotten a second interview with Baltimore. If black coaches who receive invitations to interview cannot be sure if those invitations are authentic, and some refuse those interviews or withdraw for that reason, then the Rooney Rule is having an effect opposite of what is intended. There are currently six head coaches in the NFL, but 2 (Edwards and Dungy) were head coaches before the Rooney Rule existed, another (Tomlin) was selected by the Rooneys themselves. Marvin Lewis, Lovie Smith, and Romeo Crennel were three of the most respected and feared Defensive coordinators before they accepted their head coaching jobs. Two of them had superbowl victories. I have a hard time believing any of these coaches would not have gotten an interview without the Rooney Rule.
Now Caldwell has a better resume than either Harbaugh or B. Schottenheimer, but he withdraws his name from consideration. Perhaps he decided he didn't want the job, or didn't want to be second choice. Perhaps Dungy will retire, and he hopes to replace him. Only Caldwell, knows, but if its really because hes sick of being a token interview, then thats a huge loss to the Ravens, and to him.

Mike:
Thank you for an excellent and thought provoking article. As you suggested, the problem is that the NFL is a wealthy white boys’ club beyond the rules of American society. The Rooney Rule is another example of a token gesture used by the league to convince the uneducated of our society that they are being inclusive. Unfortunately, the bigots of society have even turned to using the rule as ammunition against 'political correctness' making it very clear that still, in 2008, America remains a racist society. One need not look any further than the comments posted within the Sun sports pages to identify how many 'sports fans' respond with racist and inappropriate responses on a regular basis. I also find it very sad how suddenly interested White America becomes in any African American NFL player who may become a victim or perpetrator of crime when that player is on ‘their team’ while showing no concern whatsoever and even disdain towards any non-famous African American involved in a similar situation, even within their own community. Can you imagine the reaction of local fans toward the past problems of Ray Lewis or Jamal Lewis had they not been NFL superstars? As difficult as it is to accept these types of actions from certain bigoted fans, the elite of the NFL should know better. Actually they do, however they are able to continue to disguise their bigotry with money and frivolous action, such as is the case of the Rooney Rule.
-Richard

The Rooney Rule is an insult to minorities. Hire a coach on his merits and not the color of his skin.

Although it is entirely possible Caldwell has been used as a token minority candidate by other organizations in the past, in the case of the Ravens the fact that Ozzie Newsome is the GM would seem to render the issue of tokenism moot.

The Rooney Rule is 100% PC hogwash.

Every NFL owner (with the possible exception of Mike Brown) has winning at the top of the priority list. They are going to hire the coaches that they think give them the best chance to win, regardless of race.

That's not to say that there aren't idiots and biggots in the NFL. Certainly, there are. But money is king, and none of the owners are going to sacrifice millions of dollars just to have a non-African-American coach.

And even if some owner WAS stupid enough to put prejudice first, how does the Rooney Rule fix that? If a person is closed-minded enough to not consider a minority candidate, they're not going to change their minds and hire one after an interview.

The Rooney Rule FORCES clubs to insult African-American candidates.

It APPEARS to be progress, but it's really just trying to make a "right" out of two "wrongs."

Abolish the RR, and every candidate that got an interview would know they earned it.

Mike,
I read your articles all the time and usually agree. But, I think you are being too negative (imagine that). Consider this:
Is it not possible that an African American could interview for a position because of the Rooney Rule and then actually impress the interviewers? In which case, it might alter the team's short list of candidates. If the top candidate(s) drop out (we've seen that happen!), boom the black candidate and the Rooney Rule are winners? I'll bet it's happened already. ...Frank

The Rooney Rule is a joke and is racism of the highest order. I would be pissed if my company was forced to interview a minority before they could hire me. It is ridiculous!!!!!!!

I don't understand why nobody has given Ernest Byner or Mike Singletary an interview this year. Both have great pedigree's when it comes to football. Both were hard workers and got the most out of their abilities. Why wouldn't someone think they'd do the same as head coaches? It's nothing more than ignorance.

I rarely agree with you completely Mr. Preston, but in this one we are on the same page.

I was hoping that Mike Singletary would get a look from the Ravens. He has credibility with players and fans alike. His intensity as a player is legendary.

I think it would be interesting to see if he could bring that intensity coupled with some discipline to this team. I would like to see his views of offense given his history of playing with a running back like Walter Payton and the free wheeling passing of the Bears' former lead singer.

In any event, I look forward to the day he gets his first head coaching job. I wish it had been in Baltimore.

Why doesn't anyone ever talk about instituting a rule that every team has to interview at least one female candidate for head coach?

I understand the intent of the Rooney rule but think there should be exceptions, such as if a team decides to promote from within (like the Redskins with Gregg Williams). And it seems pretty pointless when you have a situation like Miami where Parcells basically made a bee-line for Sparano...did he even interview any minority candidates, and if so did they take it seriously?

I think the Ravens should have interviewed and given serious consideration to another Indy coach, (no, not Tom Moore), Ron Meeks. That Indy defense has come a long way and are an aggressive bunch. I am impressed with the strides they have made especially with the secondary talent they have lost to other teams.

I was born in Ohio, very near Cleveland and Pitsburgh and I have observed huge changes in the NFL over the past ten years. I can speak from personal experience that Western PA and parts of Ohio may set the standard for "benign" racism. I am astounded that Cincinnatti, Cleveland and Pittsburgh all have African American coaches! In addition, the number of black quarterbacks now compared to a very few years ago gives me great hope that we're becoming raceless. You'd have to grow up in my area to understand the impact of such changes!

It should be obvious to all that the NFL coaching jobs are few and highly competitive so why would anyone expect African Americans to have any better chance than whites for these coaching jobs? The Rooney Rule, coming from Pittsburgh of all places, at least assures that potential African American applicants have a chance to be seen and heard before a decision is made. It's a small price to be paid to have to go on interviews with little hope of getting the job. There are very positive things that result that shouldn't be overlooked. Name recognition and free advertisement of the applicant's skills have to be worth the cost. Just ask the multitude of potential Causacian applicants who never get the chance to interview and don't get the free advertisement. Racism is going to be with us for a long time, but this woman from Ohio sees it changing, and it's not changing as slowly as one may think.

The purpose of the Rooney Rule is not to have more black and minority head coaches, it is to give them the opportunity to be hired. If they don't have what it takes to coach, the owner does not have to hire him.

The Rooney Rule is not a disgrace to minorities, it helps combat the inherent racism in the system. Many minorities would not even get a chance to be interviewed otherwise.

It is not wrong to give a person a chance to show the content of his character, so please do not use King's words in a racist and oppressive way. And God forbid a minority not be grateful for the crumb's dropping off the NFL's table, God forbid a minority be a human being with feelings that does not like the idea of being shuffled into a head coaching interview just for formalities sake. But that is what they have to endure just to get a chance at doing what they love and have dreamed of doing. And if they can convince an owner to hire them they deserve the job to have been able to overcome the assumptions that are still made about black people's intelligence, work ethic, ability to lead, and ability to be seen as an authority figure by white players and personell.

The Rooney Rule is not racist nor is it a "two wrongs make a right" or "reverse discrimination," that is completely misconstruing the situation. If you think a white person is put at a disadvantage because he or she now has to compete with a black person for the same job then that the opportunity to compete was once denied the black person you should tread lightly because what you are thinking is racist.

Mike, good thoughts here, and good comments, mostly ... ugh, you cant really win here, yet nary any polemics in such an emotional issue. I expected far worse ArchieBunkerSlobism. Phew.

Even more interesting than the comment about 'Radio shills' , I found Newsome looking over Habaugh's shoulder' and 'Billick bringing more to the table.' It will be interesting to see, will Harbaugh BE able to handle these 'Outspoken vets' ... ?

Now, what radio show were you writing of, hmmm ? We will seeee ......