Black coordinators make Super Bowl history with Buccaneers
Byron Leftwich calls plays for a potent offense, Todd Bowles orchestrates a stingy defense, and Keith Armstrong directs the club’s special teams
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Diversity matters to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the first team to reach the Super Bowl with a trio of Black assistant coaches serving as coordinators.
Byron Leftwich calls plays for a potent offense led by
Tom Brady,
Todd Bowles orchestrates a stingy defense that’s helped the team to Sunday’s NFL title game, and
Keith Armstrong directs the club’s special teams.
Coach
Bruce Arians didn’t stop there in forming a staff to help him transforming a perennial last-place franchise into championship contenders two years ago.
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The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them.
More interviews didn’t equal more hirings this offseason.
According to an analysis of candidates known to have interviewed for seven head coach openings this month, 11 were minorities and 16 were white. Only two of the seven jobs went to minorities.
The NFL shield logo is seen following a press conference held by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (not pictured) at the George R. Brown Convention Center on February 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)