NFL Blasted Over Shocking Black Head Coach Trend

Mike Tonlin (Photo Via Imagn Images)

NFL Blasted Over Shocking Black Head Coach Trend

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Arnab Mondal | Last updated Jul 13, 2026 10:47 PM ET

The NFL’s latest round of head coaching hires has started another debate about diversity. All 10 teams that changed head coaches for the 2025-26 season ended up hiring non-Black coaches, leading many to question whether the league is making enough progress in creating more opportunities for Black candidates.

Several teams chose experienced coaches instead of making new hires. One of the biggest moves saw Mike McCarthy become the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the same time, a number of Black coaches interviewed for open jobs but were not selected.

One of them was Thomas Brown, the New England Patriots’ passing game coordinator and tight ends coach. Brown helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl and interviewed for several head coaching positions, but ultimately couldn’t get one.

Brown Questions The Hiring Process

New England Patriots passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Thomas Brown (Photo By Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)

Brown shared his frustration during an interview with ESPN’s Mike Reiss. He said the hiring process continues to leave many Black coaches frustrated.

“It’s a very complex conversation, something that has been a consistent dialogue almost every single year. To say it’s frustrating in some ways is probably an understatement,” Brown said.

Brown also challenged a common explanation that teams simply hire the most qualified candidates.

“I’ve constantly heard this mantra the last six years in the NFL that people hire the most qualified candidates, which I hope is true and accurate. But you’re also seeing almost every time that is never a Black coach. Which is frustrating.”

He also pushed back against the idea that the league lacks qualified Black candidates.

“I’ve also heard the phrase ‘there’s not many candidates in the pipeline to choose from.’ I do take issue with that, because I’ve been around some high-level great communicators, great connectors of people, at every stop I’ve been,” Brown said.

Brown played running back in the NFL before moving into coaching. Over the years, he has interviewed for several head coaching positions but has yet to land one.

The NFL has repeatedly clarified that it wants to increase diversity in head coaching roles. However, this year’s hiring isn’t showing the results.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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