Former Dolphins coach Brian Flores’ lawsuit could mark a watershed moment in the NFL but his highlighting of the league’s disparity in hiring is an issue Black coaches have been grappling with for decades.
Flores’ suit against the NFL and three teams including the Dolphins alleges racial discrimination in its hiring and firing process, the latest reckoning for a league that has been criticized for its lack of promotion and retention of minority coaches.
Coaches came out in the days to follow, sharing their own experiences – former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis recalled a 2002 interview with the Carolina Panthers in which it had already been reported the team planned on hiring John Fox.
