Coaches Say Rooney Rule Is Working

MIAMI--Both of the Super Bowl head coaches were asked Monday if the time has come for the Rooney Rule to be rescinded because the NFL perhaps has achieved a level of equality in hiring.

Both of them said they're pleased with the progress that has been made since the rule was enacted but they don't think it's time for it to be lifted. It has worked too well for it to go away, they said.

"I hope there will be a time when the Rooney Rule is obsolete," Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy said.

The Rooney Rule is the measure enacted by the league's team owners in 2002 that requires each club with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate. Seven minority head coaches, including the Chicago Bears' Lovie Smith, have been hired since the rule was put into effect.

"I'm here because of the Rooney Rule," Smith said Monday. "I definitely think we need to keep it in place."

Dungy said coaches like the Pittsburgh Steelers' recently hired head coach, Mike Tomlin, would not have been in the head coach interviewing mix before the rule was enacted.

"That, to me, is what the rule is all about," Dungy said.

By Mark Maske |  January 30, 2007; 7:42 AM ET  | Category:  Diversity
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