Rams assistant not optimistic Brian Flores lawsuit will help Black coaching candidates

Two years after becoming a member of coach Sean McVay’s workers, Rams assistant Thomas Brown interviewed in January to turn out to be the Miami Dolphins head coach.

“For those who had instructed me two years in the past that I had an opportunity to interview for a head job I might have instructed you you’re most likely on medicine and possibly ought to go to rehab,” Brown mentioned Wednesday throughout a videoconference with reporters. “But it surely was an amazing alternative, an amazing expertise for me.”

Brown, the Rams assistant head coach, seems on observe for extra alternatives. After teaching operating backs in 2020 and 2021, Brown will coach tight ends this season, a transfer that may construct his resume and ostensibly make him a candidate for offensive coordinator positions that would result in a head teaching job.

Head coach alternatives, nevertheless, are uncommon for Black coaches.

Because the Rams put together to begin offseason exercises subsequent week, there are solely three Black NFL head coaches — Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Houston’s Lovie Smith and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles, who just lately succeeded retired Bruce Arians. Miami’s Mike McDaniel has mentioned that he identifies as biracial.

In February, former Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit in opposition to three NFL groups alleging racial discrimination. Final week, Steve Wilks and Ray Horton joined the class-action go well with.

Brown was requested, in gentle of the lawsuit, if he was optimistic that extra Black assistants, particularly with backgrounds on offense, would get alternatives.

“Am I optimistic?” Brown mentioned. “I’m most likely within the minority however I’m going to say no, I’m not, simply because I perceive the historical past relating to not simply the NFL and the hiring course of, however… company America.”

Brown mentioned, “I don’t imagine that it’s unattainable” for change to happen. However he mentioned that with out seeing actual change in hiring practices “speak is reasonable.”

The NFL in March introduced a Rooney Rule initiative that requires each staff to rent a minority or feminine offensive assistant coach for the 2022 season. The aim, based on a league committee, is to place extra candidates within the pipeline to turn out to be offensive coordinators and, ultimately, head coaches.

Brown is a part of a Rams workers that features 4 Black assistant coaches on offense, together with receivers coach Eric Yarber, new operating backs coach Ra’Shaad Samples and offensive assistant Nick Jones.

McVay employed former Rams assistant Liam Coen as offensive coordinator to exchange Kevin O’Connell, now head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

Brown mentioned he could be prepared for his subsequent interview alternative.

“Having the ability to undergo that have isn’t any totally different to me than a participant relating to, the extra you do issues the higher you turn out to be at them,” he mentioned.