Ten NFL teams brought in new head coaches this year, but here's the kicker: not a single one of those hires was a Black coach. This isn't some quiet background chatter either. Patriots passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Thomas Brown, who's been through the interview grind multiple times himself, is speaking out, and his frustration is impossible to ignore.
Years of Interviews, No Job: The Thomas Brown Story
Brown has been on the interview circuit for years, pushing for a head-coaching gig, but it just hasn't happened. He told Mike Reiss of ESPN that going through all those interviews and still not landing a top job has been straight-up difficult. "It's a very complex conversation, something that has been a consistent dialogue almost every single year. To say it's frustrating in some ways is probably an understatement," Brown said. This isn't just about one guy, either. Brown is 40 years old, a former college running back drafted by the Falcons in 2008, and he played three years in the NFL. He's got the experience, he's put in the work.The Pipeline Problem? Brown Says Not a Chance.
The league's talking points are clearly not sitting well with Brown. He's heard the "most qualified candidates" line for six years running. "I've constantly heard this mantra the last six years in the NFL that people hire the most qualified candidates, which I hope is true and accurate. But you're also seeing almost every time that is never a Black coach. Which is frustrating," he said. And the other excuse, the one about "not many candidates in the pipeline to choose from?" Brown takes serious issue with that. He's been around "high-level great communicators, great connectors of people, at every stop" he's been. He knows the talent is there. This isn't just a tough break for Brown, it's a giant spotlight on an ongoing issue. The conversation isn't going away, and it's clear the league needs to address what's actually happening when those head coaching spots open up.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.