Fritz Pollard Alliance hits out at lack of Black NFL head coaches

The Fritz Pollard Alliance is an organization that, per its website, is "comprised of scouts, coaches and front-office personnel in the NFL as well as other sports professionals committed to equal opportunity in the industry" and, thus, is less than pleased with the current state of pro football. 

After the Miami Dolphins surprisingly fired Brian Flores on "Black Monday" and the Houston Texans parted ways with David Culley later in the week, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers stands alone as the NFL's only Black head coach. The league now has eight head-coaching openings and three for general-manager positions, and there is once again a push for owners and front offices to pursue minority candidates for those jobs. 

"The recent dismissals of Brian Flores and David Culley is a disappointment given efforts to increase the representation of Black coaches as Head Coaches in the NFL," Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves said in a statement shared by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Friday. "The fact that we stand today with only one Black Head Coach makes clear that the current system does not provide a sustainable pathway for the growth in numbers of minorities as Head Coaches.

"For many, the time for progress is now. With eleven openings, the NFL has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to diversity of leadership. We hope that our increased involvement as partners with the NFL will have an immediate and long-term impact on the system of hiring and evaluating leadership performance." 

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is widely viewed as one of the most respected and successful assistants in the league but has repeatedly gone unhired during offseasons. 

"It disappoints me that someone hasn’t hired him," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said of Bieniemy earlier on Friday. "I think this year he’s going to end up with one." 

Logic suggests Flores could have another head-coaching gig this winter if he wishes to return to work so soon after his Miami departure. He's been linked with the Texans, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and New York Giants since his ouster.