Are You Experienced?

Jimi Hendrix once penned a song that asked this very question. Ironically it was his first attempt at songwriting which sparked the idea for the name of the band he later called "The experience". College football GM's (they stop being athletic directors a long time ago) seem to mull over the "experience" factor during the interviewing process at big time programs. Recently ESPN columnist Gene Wojociechowski wrote an article highlighting the disparity in minority hiring at the college coaching ranks. I was quite shocked at the response that I read in the comments section. Many of the responses were on par with most opponents conclude that "Affirmitive Action" should be abolished. In their twisted little world people who are the most qualified always get the job. The Charlie Weis experiment at Notre Dame may have something to say about that.

The eye opener of the article was the fact that there were only 31 defensive and offensive coordinators out of over 230 positions in division IA football. Typically the next step to a head coaching job is a coordinator's position. The harsh reality is that very few of the black coordinators hardly ever get serious consideration for head jobs. The "experience" factor is one of the key rebuttals from college administators in the evaluation process of most black candidates. Another favorite is "He isn't a good fit".(More on that one later) Give Kiffin credit for closing the deal but even the most fanatical of Tennessee supporters must have some lingering concerns. If you're an Alabama fan, you've seen this movie before. It was headed by an all star cast that included some young pup named Mike Shula.

The hiring of Lane Kiffin was a head scratcher considering his limited track record. Yes he was on Pete Carroll's staff that won the national championship. Yes he was apart of the recruitment of Reggie Bush, Matt Lienart and Lendale White but 5 and15 at the helm in Oakland is still 5 and15. Who changed the rules here? Does the position of recruiting coordinator prepare a guy for such a high profile job like Tennessee? Could Ron Prince (former coach at Kansas State) or Mike Tomlin rise through the ranks this fast? Prince's first job was at Alabama A&M as an Offensive Line Coach in 1993. It took him 13 years and multiple stops at various programs to get his first head job. Mike Tomlin toiled through the ranks of college before deciding that the opportunities were better at the NFL level. Of course he was right. He's know the head man of the Steelers.

It should be noted that great coaches like Jim Tressel of Ohio State and Mike Beloti of Oregon got their starts at smaller programs. The probable reasoning for them being hired was that the A.D.'s were willing to take a risk on intangible qualities. Tressel's track record of success at Youngstown State led to him being tapped for the Ohio State job. Beloti had similar success at Chico State (Not the hard candy from the hood) but isn't it fair to assume that race was a possible factor in the evaluation of their credentials? You Betcha... In fairness its the only piece of the puzzle but lets jets say it is like the big joker is spades.

Studies have shown that people are more likely to make major decisions that involve people from their past or colleagues they are "comfortable" with. (Code word for people that look like them.) Considering the duality of this issue, a fair minded person may be more likely to view these factors through the eyes of race coupled with the obvious trends that have existed for years.

The right fit term really is code for I'm not sure if the boosters will accept a black man as the face of our athletic department. The glass ceiling in college football isn't on the field anymore. It is an unspoken tradition that exist on many college campuses that many A.D.'s (I mean GM's) dare not break.

History teaches us that social change in America only came when the struggle was a slow and painful process. It was the drastic measures that really highlighted the humanity of those who dared to oppose the establishment. What actions can the NCAA take to change this?

Step One. Impose a mandatory developmental program for Division One programs that ensures the development of interested minority candidates. Step
Step Two Inform recruits about the track record of the universities that are doing poorly at implementing their developmental plan. At least it gives the "student athlete" a accurate picture of whether or not the university is really concerned about their long term future as a person

Step 3 After the talent pool is developed, the coaching association can communicate with each other about young men that they couldn't legitimately find room for on their staff. This at least sends a message to the public that the NCAA has made a credible effort to reverse a trend that has been in the making 100 years.

Step 4 The NCAA must be willing to allow the Race Institue for Sports Ethics to indentify programs who aren't making a sincere efforts. A report should be generated that exsposes those who aren't taking the right steps at correcting the problem. Then its up the parents and guardians of the prospects to inform the kids.

Step 5 Have some of the kids boycott programs the programs who aren't making the neccessary progress to combat this issue. I will admit this is a far stretch but in the 1960's a group of black players threatened to boycott an all star game if black players weren't allowed proper hotel accomodations. The hip hop generation has survived off of recreating old customs. Why not revive 60's activism.