NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Unleashes Strong Response To Lack Of Black Head Coaches Hired In 2026 [VIDEO]
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the lack of diversity in this year’s head coach hiring cycle during Monday’s press conference.
Roger Goodell met with the media on Monday to kick off Super Bowl week. Among the key topics, Goodell praised the NFL referees but admitted the league should use more technology to improve the quality of officiating.
There were 10 head coach vacancies this year. New Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who is Lebanese American, was the only minority hired in 2026.
Goodell was asked about the lack of diversity in this year’s HC hiring cycle. He acknowledged that the league has become “more diverse.” But, the commissioner admits they have a ways to go (via ESPN’s Nick Wagoner):
“I think we have become a more diverse league across every platform including coaching, but we still have more work to do. There’s got to be more steps. We’re reevaluating everything we’re doing, including the accelerator program, including every aspect of our policies in our program to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow rather than yesterday. We need to be looking at that and why did we have those results this year?”
Roger Goodell addresses the lack of diversity in NFL head coaching hires this cycle during his annual Super Bowl press conference.
“We still have more work to do.” pic.twitter.com/5PcTOKlFNA
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2026
The Rooney Rule, established in 2003, requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching vacancies and front office positions. Per Wagoner, 2026 marks the fifth time that there hasn’t been a single Black head coach hired since the Rooney Rule was implemented.
In 2020, the NFL introduced a system in which teams receive third-round compensatory picks if they lose a minority coach or executive to another team.
Roger Goodell & The NFL Have Plenty To Sort Through This Offseason
Todd Bowles (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Aaron Glenn (New York Jets) and DeMeco Ryans (Houston Texans) are the only Black head coaches in the NFL right now. Goodell is correct about the progress that has been made regarding diversity.
But as Goodell admitted, the NFL still has plenty of work to do there. His comments on Monday certainly suggest that the lack of diversity among HC hires this year will be a major topic in the offseason.
The league will also have to discuss rule changes. As Goodell indicated, there will be discussions about expanded use of technology to help officials make the correct calls.
Goodell and the owners will also have to talk about the possibility of expanding the regular season to 18 games. He said on Monday that it’s not a guarantee to happen, so make of that as you will.
