Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy Deserve Their Acclaim

First of all, there is no monolithic reason why people, particularly Blacks, are happy to see two Black coaches in the championship game as many pundits in the national media, both white and Black, have made sure to both Smith and Dungy's accomplishments. Consider too that when Doug Williams became the first Black QB win a Super Bowl, all the extra acclaim he received (which included the cover of Sports Illustrated) was much deserved. After all, this is sports biggest game, being played on the biggest stage.

Then too, a lot of people I know, who have followed the NFL forever, are ecstatic that Black men, previously shut out of head coaching positions like quarterback and general manager positions in the NFL, continue to make significant strides in the "good ol' Boy" system that is American football. And if you don't believe that Black coaches still have to make strides, than just look at the college ranks where less than 3% of head coaches are Black, leaving intact the odious imprint regarding Blacks being able to "play" (i.e. "entertain") the sport, but lacking the necessary brainpower to understand the X's and O's needed to "teach" the game.

And in the pro ranks, the NFL is still filled with plenty of "recycled" white coaches who continue to get new jobs despite having poor won-loss records at previous posts. You don't have to look no farther than the fact that Norv Turner is being heavily considered for the vacant Cowboys job despite the fact that his lifetime NFL won-loss record is a woeful 58-82-1, to know that recycled white coaches are still a popular entity in the NFL. The fascination NFL owners have with guys like Turner is why the NFL had to institute the "Rooney Rule" to make sure that Black coaches at the very least, get interviewed for coaching jobs. Of course, considering the fact that the NFL had what? 5 Black coaches at most this past season? And already 2 of them have lost their jobs (Art Shell & Dennis Green) makes the "Rooney Rule" even more necessary.

Bottom line is that Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith have more than paid their dues throughout their long, respective careers. And they both did an excellent job in coaching teams that none of the so-called "experts" in the sports media picked to go to the Super Bowl, much less win it. So sure, maybe they both should be noted as "great coaches" first, but the fact that they both happen to be "Black coaches" should not only be celebrated, but it considering the history of football in America, it shouldn't be taken for granted.