In the age of diversity, equity, and inclusion elimination, representation by association is no longer a consideration in the Make America Great Again agenda. With 10 openings in the NFL for a head coaching position in 2026, zero were chosen to fill a position. Taking into account the 17 openings since 2025, only one Black head coach has been hired, with Aaron Glenn joining the New York Jets.

In a league that is almost 70% Black, there are currently three Black coaches in the NFL, along with Glenn, DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans, and Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Mike Tomlin stepped down from the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 years, being the longest tenured head coach in the NFL. Tomlin was replaced by Mike McCarthy.    

The 10 positions filled were the most openings since 2000, when there were 11 vacancies. The Rooney Rule was implemented in 2003 to ensure teams interviewed two eligible blacks candidates for a head coaching position. It was named after Dan Rooney, the former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rule has come under increased scrutiny for its lack of effectiveness. Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed concerns about the rule at his State of the NFL press conference last week at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

“We still have work to do,” said Goodell. “There’s got to be more steps, so we’re re-evaluating everything we’re doing, including our accelerator program, to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, rather than yesterday So, we need to be looking at that to say, ‘OK, why did we have the results this year?’ ”

Denver Broncos Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph was thought to be a hot prospect for one of the openings after his stellar year with one of the top defenses in the league. That, along with his head coaching experience, also with the Broncos, made him an excellent candidate.

Joseph was also named the 2025 Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) Assistant Coach of the Year. He came in second for the same award by the Associated Press. Joseph had interview requests from six teams, including the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders, and the Atlanta Falcons. Joseph will remain in Denver.

“I think the rule has been seen as a positive by our clubs by giving them an opportunity to look at a diverse set of candidates,” Goodell said. “They make the choice, ultimately, but I think it’s shown them the value of looking at talent where you might not know what you may not see … Teams are trying to get the coach they think they can win with.”

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