It does sound a little silly, but the NFL teams just a couple of months prior to the hiring agreed to interview at least 1 minority candidate (unless they were promoting a person from within the organization). The Detroit Lions had agreed to this, but failed to honor it (and as stated, didn't try really hard to).

Response to R.J. Elliot concerning the Matt Millen situation. The best guy for the job was not a white guy or a black guy. The white guy is who Millen wanted to hire. Millen could have followed the rule and interviewed "minority candidates" without hiring them and still have been well within the limits of honesty and fairness. The process is supposed to expose "minorities" to coaching opportunities which may or may not include actually being hired. Change your pamper and quit crying. Get over it already.

I basically agree with the first two commenters on the intent of the NFL interview rule. The problem in this case, though, was the media had already reported that Millen was interested in Mariucci [sp?]. He was the coach Millen wanted. So which minority coaching candidates would have bothered with an interview, knowing that Millen had already made up his mind?

Now the real question is: why did Millen already know which coach he wanted, without having interviewed anyone?

no other corporation could get away with mandating this. its affirmitive action in a sense and wrong. affirmitive action was great at one time, but when there is an industry which is mostly "minority" why should that rule be in place. In that case, maybe there should be a particular ratio in favor of white people to get them invited to training camp. I'm not serious, it just seems that if you reverse the situation, it seems ridiculous.

The NFL is trying to answer the question of why there are so many stellar black players and yet so few black coaches in its ranks. They may or may not be going about it the right way, but that's what they're trying to fix. I think the Matt Millen situation shows that their solution is at least flawed.

As for the players, I think the best players typically make the team and take the field, regardless of race. If you're suggesting that white players are being shut out of opportunities to play because they're white, I think you're off the mark. Just my opinion.

i don't believe that and i'm not suggesting it either. those comments were in jest. i see the problem, but if i were the coach, i would be offended by the fact that the only reason i got an interview is because i was black. especially if i knew i wasn't going to get the job anyway, not because of my color, but because they already had someone in mind. millen should have followed policy, nothing excuses that. but i personally don't believe the policy is correct. nothing racial, it just doesn't seem to exist in other aspects of business, and thats exactly what the nfl is.

Are you sure you aren't Robbie Port using another screen name, RJ? You sound just like him, including his obsession with slamming Afrian-Americans. Every post I've read by you so far is a sneer at black people. Just a coincidence, I suppose.

Correction: African-Americans.

bhw, You said " I think the best players typically make the team and take the field, regardless of race". I would agree, and add, that the white quarterbacks in the NFL also are among the best at their position. I guess the question to those who agree with the NFL's interview policy is: Why would the quest for colorblind excellence be discarded at the Head Coaching position?

Response to myron: Matt Millen made several attempts to interview minority candidates, none wanted to go along with the farce. I guess the next step would be to pay minorities to engage in the charade. Maybe $50,000 to save $150,000 would be a smart business decision. Putting some unearned cash into the hands of minority coaching candidates would probably please some fascist diversity worshipers, but ultimately it's sad. If owners really did put racist hiring decisions in front of excellence (and profits) then their punishment would ultimately be realized.

Note that I am very pleased with the work of Marvin Lewis at the helm of my beleagured Bengals. I intend to resume my season ticket package for next season.

Namath's drunken buffoonery! Joe Namath drunk on network TV last night. Slightly off topic but hilarious Follow the link and click where it says click here:

Namath drunk.

As for the topic, the best way to address this problem is on the field, which is where guys like Lewis, Edwards, and Dungy are doing it, and Crennel and Green might be newly doing it next year.

come on guys, dennis green and steve mariucci, which would you pick? and by the way Detroit was going to interview Green but once he found out Mariucci was in the mix he backed out! So you see even Green knew he wasn't the best candidate and just made it hard on the Lions organization by not interviewing. what is Detroit supposed to do find some black highschool coach just to say they interviewed some minority?