One could argue that if it weren't for the Rooney Rule Mike Tomlin wouldn't be the HC in Pittsburgh.
"Since69" wrote:
One counterexample does not a good rule make. I'm sure there had been black head coaches prior to the Rooney Rule. I doubt the Rule has increased the hiring of black coaches with statistical significance.
In my opinion, the Rooney Rule simply promotes window dressing and -- let's face it -- hypocrisy. It encourages teams to bring in black candidates for perfunctory interviews, whether or not they have any real intention of hiring them. If I were black, I'd consider it an insult to be brought in for an interview on the basis of my skin color. If I were the token Rooney Rule candidate, I'd probably turn down the position with derision. I'd want to earn the job on the basis of my merits.
Stop patronizing minority coaching candidates (and if we're honest with ourselves, we'll admit this is exactly what the Rule does). Let teams bring in whoever they want for interviews. If they want to be assholes and disqualify candidates based on their skin color alone, that's their own loss.
I've talked to quite a few fellow black students who agree with me.