The Rooney Rule is an NFL policy that requires teams to interview ethnic-minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs. The rule was created to help coaches who are minorities but ESPN’s Ryan Clark isn’t convinced it’s effective.

As teams begin to shift focus into the 2025 offseason, the league currently features six head coaches of color. Former Cowboys scout John Wooten has been key in the Rooney Rule’s implementation, noting that there’s still work to be done.

The New England Patriots recently hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach, shortly after dismissing Jerod Mayo following the conclusion of the 2024 regular season. However, they garnered criticism for the way they conducted the hiring process involving the Rooney Rule,

In searching for the successor to Jerod Mayo, the New England Patriots adhered to the ‘Rooney Rule’ — not in practice, but merely in principle.

Plus, the Cowboys were on-brand in their handling of Mike McCarthy, and thoughts about future contracts for Sam Darnold and Brock Purdy.

The New England Patriots received significant backlash for their handling of the Rooney Rule in their ongoing search for a new head coach. On Tuesday, the team satisfied the rule that required them to

Ryan Clark, former Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst, criticizes the New England Patriots for their handling of the Rooney Rule during their recent head-coaching search, reigniting debates about NFL diversity efforts.