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sports Diaranson 30 Maart 2022

NFL makes adjustments to Rooney Rule to aid minority hiring

(AP) — To ensure more nority GMs (five to seven),
opportunities for diverse and assistant GMs (three to
candidates, the NFL has six).
added requirements on
the hiring of offensive as- Teams will receive league
sistant coaches, and wom- funding toward the coach’s
en in general. salary for up to two years.

The moves announced Mon- Overall, including women
day at the owners meeting in all Rooney Rule require-
include adjustments to the ments is designed to address
Rooney Rule adopted in under-representation of
2003 and amended frequent- women in key football posi-
ly in attempts to enhance tions. The league believes
opportunities for people of this will “encourage the fur-
color and women for nearly ther identification and devel-
all league and team jobs. opment of women candidates
and the ability to provide
Beginning this season, all 32 them additional opportunity
clubs must employ a female to interview for open posi-
or a member of an ethnic or tions.”
racial minority to serve as and created a diversity advi- mittee and one of the most “But we’ve got to land the
an offensive assistant coach. A total of 12 women coaches sory committee that includes influential coaches in the plane. We’ve got to hire ca-
The person will receive a at the start of the 2021 season Peter Harvey, a former attor- sport, Tomlin spoke strongly pable candidates.”
one-year contract and work was an all-time high. ney general of New Jersey; about the lack of minority
closely with the head coach Rick Smith, a former gen- head coaches in the NFL. He, That, in Tomlin’s estimation
and offensive staff to gain ex- Dasha Smith, the NFL’s chief eral manager of the Houston Houston’s Lovie Smith, Mi- and actions, includes Flores,
perience. administrative officer and Texans; and Don Thompson, ami’s Mike McDaniel, who whose lawsuit has been a ma-
one of the league’s highest- former president and CEO is biracial, the Jets’ Robert jor topic this offseason. Flores
In recent years, head coaches ranking females, noted that of McDonald’s Corporation. Saleh and the Commanders’ was fired by the Dolphins
have predominantly had of- for the first time, a woman Ron Rivera are the five mi- despite helping turn around
fensive backgrounds. The was interviewed for a general Early Monday, Mike Tom- nority head coaches among a floundering franchise in his
pipeline for minorities on manager’s position this year. lin said he did not hire Brian the 32 teams. About 70% of three seasons as coach, going
that side of the ball is lacking, Flores as an assistant coach the players are Black. 19-14 the last two years.
as Steelers owner Art Rooney Smith also said that virtual with the Pittsburgh Steelers
II reiterated Monday. interviews will no longer be out of sympathy for the for- “I haven’t been in any dis- Flores cites a string of text
acceptable for head coach and mer Miami Dolphins head cussions and no, I don’t have messages with Patriots coach
“We recognize we have seen general manager positions, coach. a level of confidence that Bill Belichick three days be-
progress on some fronts,” and there will be specific re- would lead me to believe that fore his scheduled Giants
said Rooney, chairman of the quirements for candidates to Tomlin, who like Flores is things are going to be better,” interview for the head coach-
league’s Diversity, Equity & become offensive assistants. African American, did so Tomlin said. ”I’m more of a ing position. Those texts
Inclusion Committee, “but Those would include at least because Flores is “a good show me guy as opposed to a led Flores to believe Brian
we still have a way to go on three years of experience on coach.” That Flores had sued guy that sits around and talks Daboll already had been cho-
other fronts.” the college or pro level. the NFL and three teams — about things. sen as the new coach.
the Dolphins, Giants and
The NFL saw an increase in There currently are five mi- Broncos — claiming racist “I think that we’ve pecked Belichick refused comment
the number of people of col- nority head coaches in the hiring practices, did not dis- around the entire discussion on the lawsuit and any role
or in all coaching positions NFL. There are seven Black suade the long-time Steel- and subject and we’ve done he might have had. Giants
from 35% in the 2020 season general managers. ers coach in any way, Tomlin a lot of beneficial things,” owner John Mara said Sun-
to 39% last season. There was said. Tomlin added of adjustments day he is not interested in any
an all-time high increase in The league also released a to the Rooney Rule adopted settlement with Flores and “I
defensive coordinators to 15, resolution to increase diver- A member of the league’s in 2003 to enhance job op- think the truth will come out.
up by two; an increase in mi- sity ownership of franchises, powerful competition com- portunities for minorities. The allegations are false.”

Cavs forward Wade done for season following knee surgery

(AP) — Cavaliers forward major injuries for months. knee, the team said. He had finger when the Cavs host kle.
Dean Wade will miss the been sidelined since last play- the Orlando Magic on Mon-
rest of the season follow- Wade, who made 28 starts ing on March 12, when he day night. Allen has been able The Cavs have been hit as
ing knee surgery, the lat- this season, underwent a got hurt against Chicago. to do more on-court activi- hard as any team by injuries.
est medical setback for a procedure Monday to repair ties lately, but he’s not ready They lost both leading scorer
Cleveland team bitten by a torn meniscus in his right Wade’s loss will hurt Cleve- to play and the team has not Collin Sexton and veteran
land’s depth for the stretch said whether he’ll be back. point guard Ricky Rubio to
run and into the playoffs. The season-ending injuries, and
Cavs currently have the No. Without the shot-altering coach J.B. Bickerstaff has
7 spot — a play-in position Allen, the Cavs have been had to constantly juggle line-
— in the Eastern Conference vulnerable inside defensively ups and rotations while not
with seven games left. Wade and lack another rebounder knowing who will be avail-
had been an important con- and offensive option. Cleve- able on an almost nightly ba-
tributor off the bench as well, land has gone 4-6 in its last sis.
averaging 5.3 points in 19.2 10 minus Allen, who is av-
minutes. eraging 16.1 points and 10.8 Still, Cleveland has won 41
rebounds. games and will make the
Cleveland remains without postseason for the first time
All-Star center Jarrett Al- Guard Rajon Rondo will since 2018 after winning just
len, who will miss his 11th miss his eighth straight game 22 last season.
straight game with a broken Monday with a sprained an-