Skip Bayless asserts that he knows why the NFL has a problem with diversity when it comes to appointing Black head coaches.
During the Thursday broadcast of “Undisputed” on FS1, the host stated that he believes white NFL owners do not want to hire Black coaches because they are uncomfortable socializing with their significant others.
Bayless told his “Undisputed” co-host Shannon Sharpe that he was baffled by the NFL’s lack of diversity. “That was initially inexplicable to me, but in the end, it’s actually quite explicable.
“I’m going to reduce it down to the fact that these older white owners are uncomfortable with a black head coach because they need to interact with their spouses or significant others or whatever. And they’re not particularly comfortable. When they do conduct an interview, it will be easier to connect with a youthful, white-hot candidate.
“That is simply culture and the way life is. It’s hard to mandate ‘you must hire a Black coach’… you can’t unless it’s in the man’s heart to do the right thing — and occasionally you have the Rooney’s in Pittsburgh who did the right thing.
On the episode, Bayless referenced a TIME piece and an op-ed by Nancy Armour of USA Today that highlighted Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s inability to land a head coaching position in the NFL.
After referencing Armour’s opinion piece titled “NFL Owners Don’t Want Black And Brown Men As Their Head Coaches,” Bayless stated that he has been stating the same thing “on national television” for 15 years.
Since he helped the Chiefs defeat the Eagles 38-35 in Super Bowl 2023, Bieniemy has been the buzz of the NFL coaching circuit.
Since joining head coach Andy Reid’s staff in 2018, the 53-year-old Bieniemy has changed the Chiefs offense and helped develop two-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes. His accomplishments in Kansas City make him a deserving candidate for a head coaching position, but he has been unsuccessful in getting one.
Patrick Mahomes converses with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023 against the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona
Sharpe commented on the matter on Tuesday’s “Undisputed,” stating that Bieniemy has been repeatedly passed over for head coaching roles in favor of less-qualified applicants.
This occurred on the same day the Arizona Cardinals signed Jonathan Gannon, the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, as their new head coach.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network claimed on Friday that both the Commanders and Bieniemy are interested in the offensive coordinator position, and that both sides are now working out the details.
Friday might be the day that a deal becomes official, according to Rapoport.
The NFL commissioner addressed the issue in his state of the league address before Super Bowl 2023 last week.
Goodell stated, “I believe there is progress, and we are pleased to see progress.” However, it is never enough. We are constantly asking, ‘How can we improve?’ Several of the things we launched last year have benefited directly from the changes that have taken place.”
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