Tomlin speaks out on lack of Black head coaches in NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expanded on a point he made earlier this week on HBO's "Real Sports" when he called the NFL's record of hiring minority coaches "unacceptable."

In the episode, Tomlin discussed how former Black head coaches Marvin Lewis, Todd Bowles, Jim Caldwell, and Raheem Morris haven't received a second job despite interviewing for multiple vacancies.

Tomlin, who's won more games than any Black coach in NFL history, lamented the lack of opportunity for other qualified Black candidates, such as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

"Bieniemy is a real head-scratcher to me. Every offensive coordinator Andy Reid has had in the last 20 years got a head job. One of those guys, Brad Childress, hired me in Minnesota in 2006. Now, Andy has the best offense he's ever had and (Bieniemy) can't get a job?" Tomlin said Saturday, according to Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Tomlin has never hired a minority coordinator in his 14 years at the helm in Pittsburgh.

"I'm highly sensitive to it, but I don't regret (not having a Black coordinator)," Tomlin said. "I've had some good (Black) coaches leave for other jobs. Ray Horton. Scottie Montgomery went back to college. Kirby Wilson was hurt in that house fire."

There are only three Black head coaches in the NFL. Tomlin is joined by Brian Flores of the Miami Dolphins and David Culley of the Houston Texans.

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