White Men Can’t Jump But Black Men Can Coach In NFL?

WSJ’s Jason Riley states several theories other than institutional racism on “Why There Aren’t More Black Coaches in NFL,” including owners’ fear of being branded “racist” when they have to fire one ala the suing ex-Dolphin Flores; could it be Black men are too smart to be part of the NFL circus upon retirement?

Recall the 1992 movie “White Men Can’t Jump” to help explain why there’s relatively few white players in the NBA, Larry Bird notwithstanding. The premise was too simplistic of course and “Black Men Can Certainly Think.” Could it be most Black players are too talented (and make too much money) on the field, then, and DO NOT WANT to be a head coach because they know they’d have to put up with all the politics in the board room as well as whining that goes on in the locker room? In fact, how many ex-greats are there … Black or White … who went on to be head coaches in the NBA or NFL? Doesn’t it seem most white coaches (in both sports) either never played at the pro level or were mediocrities at best? Belechik is just one poster boy for a great white coach who could never carry a pigskin better than a fried chicken. Same might be said of many Blacks. Mike Tomlin, Tony Dungy & the suing ex-Dolphin Brian Flores who DID become head bosses would never get HOF votes for their playing days. There are of course exceptions among Black head coaches, but Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing & Mike Singletary ain’t one of them.

But, back to Mr. Riley’s point about Mr. Flores relying on the “race card” in face of an “undeniable history of exclusion” … that maybe we are all more like brothers under that skin of ours than we think. As Pres Obama once said on the Letterman Show after being criticized for his policies & MSM accused the critics of racism, “It is important to remember, I was actually Black before I was elected.” Likewise, reminded Riley, the fired Flores “was also black when he was hired.”

Davd Soul