Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 4-8-22

Feature
Tampa Reacts To Hiring Coach Todd Bowles
TODD BOWLES ... New Tampa Bay Buccaneer Coach
By MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
The NFL has a disparity problem when it comes to Black Head Coaches. Accord- ing to the NFL in the NFL’s 102 years of operation, 75% of the thirty-two teams had em- ployed one or zero Black head coaches.
In February, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and New York Gi- ants, alleging that they en- gaged in a pattern of racist hiring.
On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Bruce Arians stepped down and an- nounced the promotion of De- fensive Coordinator Todd Bowles to the position of head coach.
Some are saying this is Ar- ians’ way of ensuring that Bowles gets fair treatment as a coach.
Arians stated, "I wanted
luster. The Buccaneers still have a solid team. Therefore, I am interested in seeing Coach Bowles growth and matura- tion in the upcoming season. Go Bucs!”
“The Bucs pro- motion of Todd Bowles as head coach was an un- expected but excit-
ing devel-
opment
that has been received posi- tively throughout the commu- nity. Far too often, when an African American is given an opportunity in coaching (and
BARRY CLARK
to ensure when I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity to succeed. So many head coaches come into situations where they are set up for fail- ure, and I didn't want that for Todd."
The pair have a long his- tory of successful football to- gether. Bowles played football at Temple University where he was a four-year start- ing cornerback for Arians. Later, Bowles became an as- sistant coach for Arians when he was head coach of the Ari- zona Cardinals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL.
Bowles will be the Bucca- neers’ fourth Black coach. The first was Tony Dungy, one of the most prolific head coaches in recent years.
The Sentinel got feedback from local sports fans on the news.
“I am in support of the NFL promoting talented mi- norities into leadership posi- tions. Coach Bowles was also a good Defensive Coordi- nator. However, this is his sec-
ond op- portunity to prove himself as a head coach. His previous stats as a head coach for the Jets was lack-
in business) it’s to take over a struggling team or unit. It’s nice to see the Bucs do the right thing by a coach who wasn’t given a fair shake in his last stop. He’s definitely being set up for success and I ap- plaud Bruce Arians for being intentional about diver- sity by creating a path for his mentees to have a great oppor- tunity. That is what leadership and “walking the talk” looks like. The rest of the NFL could learn from his example.”
the Bucs ownership kudos for this move also because they had to buy off on this move.”
TED SCOTT, JR.
“The Bucs organiza- tion and the Glaz- ers do not get enough credit for their diver- sity efforts. This is the fourth
“It great for
minority hiring practices for the Buccaneers as well as
the NFL JEFFREY considering AMOS
their his-
tory for hiring minorities. Coach Bruce Arians also must be commended for his continuing efforts to hire mi- norities against systemic pro- cedures that are apparent from the inception of the NFL. Give
Black head coach the Bucs have hired since 1976. Com- pare that with teams that have been around for one hundred years and have never hired a Black head coach.”
“He's a
proven
Coach who
has been
around the
game long
enough. I
think it was
an excellent COACH ALONZO hire.” ASHWOOD
is
ED NARAIN, ESQ.
FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 3-A