BRINGING MORE EQUITY TO FOOTBALL, ONE COACH AT A TIME
Coaches are elemental to the success of their team and the motivation of their players. But unfortunately the playing field is far from level. Minority football players and even the fans at home don’t see themselves represented on the sidelines. That needs to change.
Under Armour’s $1.5M commitment to the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches serves to improve the landscape of opportunity for coaches by bringing more diversity, equity and inclusion to the sport.
Since the beginning of the partnership in 2021, three NCMFC members have been hired as NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) head coaches—with only 131 FBS head coaching jobs in existence, this progress is notable. However, minority coaches still only make up 18% of FBS head coaches, proving that initiatives like the Coalition Academy are more vital than ever.
The Coalition Academy is a first of its kind program that seeks to advance the next generation of college minority football coaches with an ultimate goal to increase minority hires by expanding NCMFC’s engagement with FBS programs from 55% to 75%.
Under Armour hopes this partnership will continue to grow so that future generations benefit from the opinions, experience and perspectives of all people.
THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HUDDLE: EMPOWERING MINORITY COACHES
Under Armour and the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches make strides in diversifying the sidelines.
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IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Coaches and mentors from this year’s Coalition Academy share their thoughts on the importance of diversity and representation on football sidelines.
- Donte Williams
- Mikki Allen
- Van Malone
- Tem Lukabu
- Lance Taylor
- Allen Greene
DONTE WILLIAMS
Defensive Backs & Defensive Passing Game Coordinator, University of Southern California
“Representation is one of the best forms of admiration. Seeing the person that you can relate to and that has a similar background is extremely important. A young person that wants to break into the business can have confidence from the beginning because there is physical proof that another person with a similar background and race is doing it. As I continue to climb the coaching ladder, it’s important to lift the younger coaches behind me. At this point of my career, I have been able to do that with the graduate assistants and quality control coaches I’ve worked with by mentoring and giving them a start in the coaching profession.
I feel added pressure and responsibility because I’m representing those minority coaches before me who helped pave the way. I’m also helping to shape the future of minority coaches coming after me and my success hopefully will make it easier for those to follow. We are one team in the big picture of the coaching world.”
MIKKI ALLEN
Athletic Director, Tennessee State University
"There is a certain closed-mindedness amongst decision-makers in college athletics who only hire candidates with coordinator experience. This hiring philosophy, effective or not, limits the number of qualified minority applicants for available head coaching positions.
Throughout the history of college football, there has been a limited number of minority offensive and defensive play-callers.
I believe that this is due, in part, because minority coaches many times ascend through the coaching profession by way of their recruiting prowess. This being the case, many times they are so highly coveted as recruiters they take lateral jobs and are not at the program long enough to gain coordinator experience.
The networking opportunities that the Coalition provides open so many doors for these aspiring head coaches. College sports is a relationship-driven industry and it's special that these individuals get an opportunity to be coached and developed by leaders that share a vested interest in helping people and improving college sports."
Van Malone
Assistant Head Coach & Passing Game Coordinator, Kansas State University
“The numbers are not at all where they should be when it comes to positions of leadership held by minority coaches. In 2022, there shouldn’t be such a lack of diversity in candidate pools. The Academy is committed to solving a major advocacy and promotion problem that has been a challenge for minority coaches for many years.
There is a saying in my community: “You must be twice as good to get half a chance.” As a minority coach, there is a certain level of pressure that comes with the career and there is also a high level of responsibility based simply on my race. Minority coaches have the responsibility to challenge the sports community for equity and diversity in the leadership roles. We also have the responsibility to assist the young men and women we coach and lead with maximizing their talents and skills on and off the playing field. As a coach, I take every opportunity to facilitate discussions that help student athletes grow in all areas. I am thankful to know that my encouragement and development of young athletes and coaches is vital for our sport, and our society in general.”
Tem Lukabu
Defensive Coordinator, Boston College
"The Coalition's mission shines a light on the fact that there is a huge diversity gap felt by minority head football coaches. It starts with bringing the conversation that is well overdue to the forefront. Once the conversations begin, the established coaches can mentor and guide the next generation of coaches forward, in an effort to find solutions towards the betterment of the game.
Many of the roadblocks are not tangible, which leads to our losing faith in the process. It makes you question whether you are possibly not good enough. It also causes you to wonder if the people making the decisions are blinded by my race and the perceptions that come with that, rather than my qualifications for the role.
There is no question that there is added pressure as you are looked at as the representation of minority coaches. You definitely have to succeed more than others, as it is rare to get a second chance after any perceived failures."
LANCE TAYLOR
Head Coach, Western Michigan University
“I am driven to be the best husband, father, friend, and coach that I can be. I see opportunities to lead young players as a privilege and I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to prepare myself in order to lead a program one day.
I think it’s important for young people to see people similar to them in leadership positions. I believe it can allow them to set goals for themselves and know that they can achieve them, because there have been people that have come before them to help make it happen.”
ALLEN GREENE
Former Athletic Director, Auburn University
“Being selected as mentor for the 2022 Coalition Academy is humbling. The goal is simple; ensure continuous improvement of my mentee. My mentee will learn from my experiences, enhance critical thinking skills and access an expanded network of industry professionals.
With increased awareness of the disparity of minorities in head coaching positions, the Coalition is well positioned to provide development opportunities for talented minority coaches, ultimately preparing them to be successful head coaches.
Partnering with Under Armour allows the Coalition to learn from a company that is bold, innovative and resilient. These qualities are critical when forging the often less traveled path to progress.”