FOR USE AS DESIRED
            NFL-35              8/16/01

NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP TOTALS RECORD-TYING
73 PARTICIPANTS; JETS’ EDWARDS FIRST HEAD-COACH GRAD OF PROGRAM

Seventy-three African-American coaches are taking part in this summer’s NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program, tying 1998 for the most ever.  The group seeks to follow in the footsteps of new New York Jets head coach HERMAN EDWARDS, the program’s first participant to become an NFL head coach.   

Approximately 700 coaches have worked in the training camps of NFL teams since the program was begun in 1987.  Former fellowship coaches on 2001 NFL staffs include JAMES DANIEL (Atlanta), ROBERT FORD (Miami), MARVIN LEWIS (Baltimore), JOHNNIE LYNN (New York Giants), JAMES SAXON (Kansas City), SHERMAN SMITH (Tennessee) and GEORGE WARHOP (Arizona).

As part of training-camp coaching staffs, the fellowship coaches perform duties that mirror those of full-time NFL assistant coaches.  They become working members of NFL staffs for the summer and are responsible for numerous assignments, including planning and directing workouts, formulating scrimmage and preseason-game strategies, breaking down videotape, and evaluating players.  

“The program is really the thing that jump-starts your career,” says Edwards, who interned with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989 under head coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER.  “It really worked perfectly for me.  I was in the right place at the right time.”

So were three other fellowship coaches Edwards has hired this year for his Jets staff – defensive line coach RUBIN CARTER (fellowship with New England, 1992), running backs coach BISHOP HARRIS (Minnesota, 1987; Denver, 1989-90), and wide receivers coach MOSE RISON (Jets, 1992; Detroit, 1998; Chicago, 1999; Baltimore, 2000). 

Edwards has brought two fellowship coaches into camp this summer – former NFL guard HARRY GALBREATH, now the offensive line coach at Tennessee State, and RAHEEM MORRIS, the safeties coach at Hofstra.

“I think it’s a great program,” says Galbreath, who played for Miami, Green Bay and the Jets from 1988-96.  “It gives guys like me who are starting out in coaching a chance to sharpen our skills.  (Jets offensive line coach) BILL MUIR has opened his office door to me and really helped me a lot.  It’s been an invaluable experience.”

Morris, in his third year at his alma mater, says the program is perfect for him.

“I wanted to come here because Herman Edwards was a great defensive backs coach and just a great coach, period,” he says.  “To learn from people like him and (defensive coordinator) TED COTTRELL (one of a record 12 African-American coordinators in the NFL this year) -- I wanted to be around people like that.  They have good reputations.” 

Edwards thinks the program will continue to benefit young African-American coaches.

“Guys will start to surface, and more and more guys will develop their skills,” he says.

Participants in the 2001 program:

2001 NFL MINORITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM