Influence of college presidents seen as key
By American staff
The sixth release of the Black Coaches and Administrators Football Hiring Report Card, which gives an in depth examination of the hiring process for new head football coaches in our higher education institutions, shows that the catalyst for positive change on hiring collegiate head football coaches lies at the top with college presidents, who ultimately give the final blessing when it comes to a new hire.
“Presidents can demand an inclusive and diverse search process from their athletic directors and vice presidents,” said Floyd Keith, Executive Director of the Black Coaches and Administrators (BCA) since 2001 and a former NCAA collegiate football coach with 30 years of coaching experience.
The 2009 report card shows that in the five hiring categories – communication, search committee, final candidates, time frame and affirmative action – over half of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) schools earned an “A” in communication and time frame. These are positive results since a longer hiring process will allow most qualified candidates the opportunity to apply. When “B” grades are added to the “A” grades, about 90 percent of FBS and FCS schools are represented in these two categories.
In this year’s results, Illinois State University (FCS) earned a final “B” grade, while Bowling Green State University (FBS) also earned a final “B” grade. Schools earning “F” grades this year were Ball State (FBS), Kansas State (FBS), Presbyterian College (FCS), University of Oregon (FBS) and University of Wyoming (FBS). Two of these schools refused to participate, earning them automatic “F” grades.
In past years, University of Illinois earned an “A” (2005), Missouri State University earned an “F” (2006) and Southern Illinois University earned an “A” (2008).
Though the percentage of “A” grades in the 2009 HRC was the second highest in five years, the overall report card highlights the fact that progress can still, and must, be made as some schools continue to fail to meet fair standards in each of the five categories.
And while the BCA monitors the hiring practices of FBS and FCS institutions, schools in other divisions fall short of meeting BCA standards.
“What is lost in the improvement in numbers is that three BCS jobs were lost in the Pac-10, Big 12 and SEC,” said Richard Lapchick, director at the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport.
“Adding positions at Miami University (Ohio), New Mexico, New Mexico State and Eastern Michigan was important but these schools will likely never get a shot at a BCS championship.”
It all comes back to collegiate presidents and their influence.
“Diversity and inclusion is more easily achieved if it is a functional part of the chemistry of the administration and is reflected in administrative practice,” said Keith.
“It is easier to hire an attitude of diversity and inclusion than it is to teach or implement it. Presidents must stand up for justice and not block its path.”
To view the complete BCA #6 Football Hiring Report Card, visit bcasports.cstv.com.