Anthony Lynn has serious doubts about NFL’s Rooney Rule proposal

Anthony Lynn is one of only three African-American head coaches in the NFL, so his voice holds weight as decisionmakers try to figure out how to entice teams to hire more minority coaches. But he’s not on board with the league’s latest proposal.

The Los Angeles Chargers coach told Zach Gelb of CBS Sports Radio that he thinks the league is doing the wrong thing by linking better draft position to hiring minorities. He offered some alternative proposals to encourage teams to hire more minorities.

“Sometimes you can do the wrong thing while trying to do the right thing,” Lynn said. “I think that there are a lot of qualified African-American coaches right now that could be a head coach in this league and I pray that we do our due diligence and get these guys an opportunity. I think this is out of desperation. You can’t make people hire someone if they don’t want to hire them.

“Networking could be better, if the owners are more familiar with some of these guys. We could open it up to more people. We’re stuck in this ‘gotta be a coordinator.’ And I understand the progression to become a head coach but I really believe some of our natural leaders are assistant coaches or assistant head coaches. I believe becoming a head coach has nothing to do with being a coordinator. I think those are two different skillsets. Being a leader of a franchise and calling plays. There are a lot of brilliant guys that can call plays but can’t lead a damn team. I think if we open up the pools, more minorities will have opportunities.”

The league’s new proposal ties minority hires to improved draft position in the third and fourth round. It’s backed by commissioner Roger Goodell, and needs the approval of 24 of the league’s 32 owners for final passage.