The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quickly promoted Todd Bowles to head coach after Bruce Arians announced his retirement this week. That typically is not the way coaching changes work in the NFL, but the Bucs did not have to satisfy the Rooney Rule due to a technicality. The NFL is looking to fix that.
The Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for certain positions, was implemented in 2003. In 2020, the NFL tweaked the rule so that teams must interview two external minority candidates for head coaching vacancies. Tampa Bay promoted Bowles without interviewing anyone. That was allowed because the Rooney Rule doesn’t apply after March 1. The reason for that is teams are not obligated to grant interviews for members of their staff after that date.
A source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the NFL is considering a change to the Rooney Rule that would close the loophole the Buccaneers utilized. The potential fix would require teams to only name an “interim” coach if they have a coaching vacancy arise after March 1. Teams would then be required to conduct a full search and satisfy the Rooney Rule after the season.
Arians has been praised for stepping aside and allowing Bowles, a black coach, to inherit a great situation. However, you could imagine how people would react if a white coach were promoted without a team having to satisfy the Rooney Rule. It would be a surprise if the NFL does not make a change.
Photo: Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles looks on before a game against the Dallas Cowboysn at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
