Brian Flores’ class action lawsuit is once again in the news, as two new coaches have joined the lawsuit as plaintiffs, according to Pro Football Talk.
Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks and former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton are both claiming racial discrimination in their own situations.
Wilks, who was fired by the Cardinals after one season, alleges that he was hired as a “bridge coach” and wasn’t given a real chance to succeed in this opportunity. He juxtaposed this situation with his general manager, Steve Keim, who was given an extension despite being convicted of a DUI.
“When Coach Flores filed this action, I knew I owed it to myself, and to all Black NFL coaches and aspiring coaches, to stand with him,” Wilks said in a statement. “This lawsuit has shed further important light on a problem that we all know exists, but that too few are willing to confront. Black coaches and candidates should have exactly the same ability to become employed, and remain employed, as white coaches and candidates. That is not currently the case, and I look forward to working with Coach Flores and Coach Horton to ensure that the aspiration of racial equality in the NFL becomes a reality.”
Horton, who had been the Titans defensive coordinator before interviewing for the head coach position in 2016, alleges that his interview was a sham only to satisfy the Rooney Rule. He also alleges that Mike Mularkey, who was given the job in 2016, knew that he was getting the position before all of the interviews had concluded.
“I am proud to stand with Coach Flores and Coach Wilks in combatting the systemic discrimination which has plagued the NFL for far too long,” Horton said in a statement. “When I learned from Coach Mularkey’s statements that my head coach interview with the Titans was a sham, I was devastated and humiliated. Bu joining this case, I am hoping to turn that experience into a positive and make lasting change and create true equal opportunity in the future.”
While all three coaches have been able to find positions in the league since these cited incidents occurred, it could be argued that none of the coaches were given the opportunity they should have been granted. Flores is a defensive assistant and linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wilks is the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach of the Carolina Panthers and Horton hasn’t coached since 2019.
