NFL expands Rooney Rule, adds new interview requirements

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn criticized the plan that could offer improved draft picks to clubs that hire minority head coaches and/or general managers. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL expands Rooney Rule, requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 5/18/20

Recently, NFL Media’s Jim Trotter reported the league could offer improved draft picks to clubs that hire minority head coaches and/or general managers.

That's apparently only the beginning.

On Monday afternoon, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported the NFL was immediately adding to what is known as the "Rooney Rule:"

The NFL is immediately instituting changes to the Rooney Rule, requiring clubs interview at least 2 external minority candidates for head coach openings and 1 minority candidate for any coordinator job, I’m told. That's on top of two resolutions up for vote @JimTrotter_NFL noted.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 18, 2020

Previously, teams were required to interview at least one minority for open coaching positions.

On Friday, Trotter reported that the NFL was considering rewarding teams that hire and retain minority coaches by moving such clubs up six spots in the third rounds of NFL drafts. A team could jump 10 spots for hiring a person of color as a top executive, and up to 16 spots if it filled multiple positions, such as head coach and general manager/team president, with diverse candidates.

It appears not everybody is immediately on board with the proposal. While speaking with Zach Gelb of CBS Sports Radio on Friday, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn criticized the plan:

According to @JimTrotter_NFL there is a #NFL proposal trying to incentivize hiring minority coaching & GM candidates by rewarding teams with improved draft slots. #Chargers HC Anthony Lynn told @ZachGelb, "Sometimes you can do the wrong thing while trying to do the right thing." pic.twitter.com/EWGxJ0B005
— CBS Sports Radio (@CBSSportsRadio) May 16, 2020

"I think sometimes you can do the wrong thing while trying to do the right thing," Lynn said.

More must-reads: