A record number of black coaches will work in the NFL in 1998, including three head coaches and 10 coordinators.

Five black assistant coaches were promoted to coordinator this year, bringing the total number of black coordinators to a record 10. Coordinator jobs are significant because they frequently lead to head coaching positions. The five new black coordinators are Kippy Brown (offense, Miami), Ted Cottrell (defense, Buffalo), Jimmy Raye (offense, Kansas City), Willie Shaw (defense, Oakland), and Ray Sherman (offense, Pittsburgh). They join black coordinators Sylvester Croom (offense, Detroit), Marvin Lewis (defense, Baltimore), Sherman Lewis (offense, Green Bay), Jim Skipper (offense, New York Giants) and Emmitt Thomas (defense, Philadelphia), all of whom held these positions in 1997.

The total number of African-American coaches also continues to rise. There are 113 NFL black coaches on 1998 staffs – more than 25 percent of all coaches -- compared to 1997’s total of 103. In 1980, there were only 14 black coaches in the league, all assistants.

One reason for the influx of coaching talent is the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, which allows black collegiate coaches to work with NFL coaching staffs during training camp. More than 30 graduates of the program have been hired as full-time NFL assistants in the past decade.

The NFL has taken other steps to ensure that all coaches receive the benefit of equal opportunity in the hiring process.

Last year, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue hired Russell Reynolds Associates, a major international executive search firm, to analyze the dynamics that affect the hiring of coaches, including time and other pressures that sometimes limit rather than expand the pool of talent considered. RRA’s findings were presented to all NFL clubs at a meeting last December.

"The challenge now," says Commissioner Tagliabue, "is to push beyond customary or comfortable hiring patterns and to expand the minority pipeline, while ensuring a fair process and equal opportunity for all coaches striving to reach the highest levels of their profession."

More African-American coaches received consideration this year for the four head coaching positions that were available. Five pro and college coaches – Indianapolis defensive line coach Greg Blache (Indianapolis), Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis (Dallas), Atlanta offensive line coach Art Shell (Oakland), Oklahoma State head coach Bob Simmons (Dallas) and Stanford head coach Tyrone Willingham (Indianapolis and Dallas) – either were interviewed or were invited to interview for these openings.

Commissioner Tagliabue continued the league-wide dialogue on the issue with meetings this year at the Scouting Combine in February and in New York in March. He also authorized a new professional development clinic for coaches that will be held in the spring. Selected coaches from each NFL team will have the opportunity to learn from pro and college head coaches about the unique and demanding skills required to become a successful NFL head coach.

"The dialogue between the African-American coaches and the league office has been tremendously positive," said Jacksonville Jaguars senior vice president/football operations Michael Huyghue, who participated in several of the meetings. "The hiring process in the league will improve and we are extremely optimistic."