In an era where the hiring of black head coaches in the NFL is far and in between, I say congrats to Mike Tomlin, 36 year old, African-American head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tomlin was a beneficiary of the "Rooney Rule", which requires any team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate (Dan Rooney is the owner of the Steelers). In fact, Tomlin credits his hiring to the Rooney Rule. "I have no question it helped me get this job," said Tomlin in 2006.
What will be the social ramifications of the second African-American coach leading a team to a Super Bowl win?
