The NFL will not celebrate its accelerator program aimed at increasing diversity among coaches in the next spring meetings, since the League plans to make changes in the program before bringing it next year.
The last event in the program, which began in 2022, was scheduled for training candidates for various origins to meet with team owners at the League meetings next week in Minnesota.
The administrative director of the NFL, Dasha Smith, said the program will return in May 2026.
“This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the comments and participate with the interested parties so that we can guarantee a successful program in the future,” he said in a statement on Tuesday. “We are firm in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipe and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fans. The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are sure that the next evolution of our efforts will take a step closer to that objective.”
CBS Sports first reported the decision.
The NFL recently celebrated a program of accelerators for candidates for the general manager at the League meetings in December, a three -day candidate development program at the Scouting Combine and the Ninth Women’s Forum.
Among the people who have passed through the accelerator program and finally obtained the best works are the New York Jets chief coach, Aaron Glenn, and the former general manager of Tennessee, Ran Carthon.
Smith said the League intends to combine coaching and reception accelerators programs and remains committed to increasing various positions for key leadership positions.
“We believe that the diversity of thought and background is essential for our success, and is reflected in the policies, programs and associations that help us attract, develop and retain maximum talent at all levels on and off the field,” he said.
The NFL currently has seven minority chief coaches and seven minority managers. Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league’s commitment to diverse hiring in the Super Bowl.
“I think our diversity efforts have led to improve NFL,” he said in February in New Orleans. “It has attracted a better talent. We believe that we are better if we get different perspectives, people with different history, whether women, men or people of color. We become stronger and get better when we have that.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
