Rooney Rule For NCAA Hires?

Interesting column in tomorrow’s NYT. That’s right, here before daylight.

William C. Rhoden makes an argument–and a solid one at that, for a “Rooney Rule” for Division-I programs looking to fill coaching vacancies. Maybe there is a problem here.

During the last cycle of hiring, there were 28 openings for head football coaches in Division I; four minorities were hired.

I agree with Rhoden in that the college game is still very much an old boy’s network, with ratios of both minority players and minority coaches indicating a racial bias. Not arguing his point, but I can’t help thinking prejudice has and will continue to diminish organically in the culture of NCAA athletic departments… as a rule. Beyond that, I’m just not sure if a Rooney solution is even plausible.

The Rooney Rule was lobbied for in the NFL by it’s coaches union. I’m unaware of any such faction existing in the NCAA–save the NAACP, that would be able to mount a similar effort. Not to say that one isn’t needed.

P.s. On a personal note, why the hell aren’t television remote controls using bluetooth yet? I hate when someone’s head is blocking the damn infared signal.