One of the NFL’s diversity initiatives is back after a one-year hiatus, according to a league memo from league diversity officials addressed to chief executives, general managers, head coaches and club presidents obtained by USA TODAY Sports.
With a new name and approach.
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The networking event formerly known as the Front Office and General Manager Accelerator Program is now the “Coach and Front Office Accelerator” and include candidates from all backgrounds, not just racial or gender minorities. CBS Sports first reported the program’s revival and changes.
Started in 2022, the accelerator program will bring candidates together for an in-person session from May 18-20 at the league’s spring meeting in Orlando, Florida. The May meeting scheduled for 2025 was canceled weeks prior. Though the NFL said the program was being reimagined, it was no secret the league sought compliance with president Donald Trump’s anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) mandates.
Ten head-coaching jobs turned over this offseason. One team, the Tennessee Titans, hired a non-white person for the top gig, as Robert Saleh identifies as Lebanese-American.
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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said during his pre-Super Bowl news conference that he believed “diversity is good” for the league.
“You know me too well to say I’m resigned to something where I think we need to continue to make progress,” Goodell said.
Goodell added: “We still have work to do. There’s got to be more steps, so we’re re-evaluating everything we’re doing, including our accelerator program, to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, rather than yesterday So, we need to be looking at that to say, ‘OK, why did we have the results this year?’”
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Allegiant Stadium. Las Vegas Raiders. Opened in 2020.
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SoFi Stadium. Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams. Opened in 2020.
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Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta Falcons. Opened in 2017.
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Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis Colts. Opened in 2008.
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State Farm Stadium. Arizona Cardinals. Opened in 2006.
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Ford Field. Detroit Lions. Opened in 2002.
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M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens. Opened in 1998.
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Northwest Stadium. Washington Football Team. Opened in 1997.
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Bank of America Stadium. Carolina Panthers. Opened in 1996.
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EverBank Stadium. Jacksonville Jaguars. Opened in 1995.
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Hard Rock Stadium. Miami Dolphins. Opened in 1987.
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Caesars Superdome. New Orleans Saints. Opened in 1975.
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Highmark Stadium. Buffalo Bills. Opened in 1973.
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Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City Chiefs. Opened in 1972.
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Lambeau Field. Green Bay Packers. Opened in 1957.
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Soldier Field. Chicago Bears. Opened in 1924.
The memo states that enhanced nomination criteria serve to “focus on more senior-level candidates aligned with Head Coach or General Manager readiness.” Clubs may nominate up to two candidates, ideally one front-office member and one coach. In addition to the in-person event, the memo promises year-round learning opportunities, including mentorship, personalized executive coaching and specialized development sessions addressing the realities of life as a NFL head coach or general manager.
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Coaches eligible for the program must be a former NFL head coach, a current or former college coach, a current or former coordinator or current or former quarterbacks coach. Front office nominees should be assistant general managers or be a head of “player personnel, football operations or administration.”
In the memo, the league claimed 79 instances of a participant receiving an internal or cross-club promotion since the program’s inception.
Goodell said there was no correlation between the results of zero Black coaching hires and that the accelerator program had been dormant for nearly a year. The Rooney Rule requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for vacant head coach, general manager and coordinator positions. One minority candidate is required for the QB coach position.
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“I think long-term, it’s something that we want to continue and figure out how do we use that to make sure that people understand that the level of talent is out there, the extraordinary talent is out there,” Goodell said, “and how to give them the opportunities to continue their careers.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL accelerator program changes prioritize GM, head coach candidates