Who was the minority that the Skins interviewed after Vinny

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:24 pm

Resigned...I don't know the ins and outs of the RR but I have always wondered how teams do it soo quickly sometimes like the Skins did this time...then I saw this....

On Saturday, we reported that the Redskins already have interviewed defensive coordinator Greg Blache for the head-coaching position currently held by Jim Zorn. Later in the day, Jason Reid of the Washington Post, after duly dropping a D.C. Steamer on our Blache report, wrote that secondary coach Jerry Gray has been interviewed for the head-coaching position.

Regardless of whether either or both report is accurate (we stand by our Blache report, and we've heard rumblings that Gray was also interviewed), the Redskins won't be able to pull the 114-minute presto-change-o with Zorn and his successor by pre-complying with the Rooney Rule, which requires at least one interview of a minority candidate for every head-coaching vacancy.

The key word, as it relates to coaching jobs, is "vacancy."

"The rule presumes a vacancy," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told us via e-mail.

In other words, interviews of minority candidate(s) conducted before the coaching job is open don't count.

So how were the Redskins able to pre-comply with the Rooney Rule before Vinny Cerrato resigned as executive V.P. of football operations?

"The current rule as it applies to GMs is not as specific as for head coaches," Aiello said. "We will review it going forward to determine whether modifications are warranted."

To put it less tactfully, the Redskins found a loophole when it came to making the switch from Cerrato to Bruce Allen. But that same path won't be available to the Redskins when it comes to Zorn; they have to comply with the Rooney Rule after the head-coaching job has come open.

Though it might be easy to satisfy the requirement by having Blache and/or Gray return for a "do you still want the job?" follow-up session, there's a chance that Blache and/or Gray eventually will decide not to participate in a sham process -- just like Redskins play-caller Sherm Lewis did nearly seven years ago, when the Lions dumped Marty Mornhinweg with the sole intent of hiring Steve Mariucci.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:52 pm

sorry DEHog - didn't you get the memo - we are all trying to be positive here - things have changed for the better, Snyder has turned the team over to Allen - apparently a lot of stuff is just getting out there because there are still so many anti-Snyder people around, can you imagine that? :lol:

on one hand we are told that Zorn's future here is not going to be determined until after the season - Allen said that he had met with Zorn and he wanted to wait until after the season was over before deciding what if any role Zorn would have here, THEN we get the info that various coaches have been contacted about the HC job here - this is not the right way to do things

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:14 pm

This isn't a knock on the Skins as they aren't the only team that does this I'm trying to understand the rule better it's why a started a new thread here...I just think when a team bring in a guy on their staff for an interview who they have no intentions of hirering. It no in keeping with the spirit of the rule...which is to get a minority (who the owner may not otherwias interview or know) face time with an owner??

Paralis · Post by **Paralis** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:08 pm

Who says they had no intention of hiring Blache or Gray? Remember that when the Skins installed Lewis as playcaller, it was by no means certain that Zorn was going to stay or be kept as HC.

The only reason this is news is because of the Allen hiring. I doubt there's a team in football that's fired their HC midseason without interviewing the eventual replacement first.

PulpExposure · Post by **PulpExposure** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 3:18 pm

Paralis wrote:Who says they had no intention of hiring Blache or Gray? Remember that when the Skins installed Lewis as playcaller, it was by no means certain that Zorn was going to stay or be kept as HC.

That's exactly right. The story "broken" by profootballtalk also specifically says: "Per a league source, the Redskins have interviewed defensive coordinator Greg Blache for the position currently held by his boss, Jim Zorn.

It's unknown when the interview specifically occurred."

And even better, the story that SJ is predicating his entire argument on, is fundamentally incorrect.

Per Redskins' Insider:

Greg Blache did not interview for the Redskins' head coaching position but secondary coach Jerry Gray did, league sources confirmed today.

A ProFootballTalk.com report stated Blache interviewed for the position currently occupied by Jim Zorn, but it was Gray,

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 4:17 pm

Yeah it does seem in this case that a team is just paying lip service to the Rooney rule.

At the same time, it is still accomplishing something. A minority coach is getting real face time with an NFL owner, getting to present himself as a coaching candidate. And that coach is also getting the experience he might need to interview for other jobs in the future.

I think the Rooney rule has been very positive for the league. But it kind of seems like minority coaches have proven themselves already. An owner who wouldn't consider a minority coach is just kind of an idiot at this point.

chiefhog44 · Post by **chiefhog44** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:23 pm

SkinsJock wrote:sorry DEHog - didn't you get the memo - we are all trying to be positive here - things have changed for the better, Snyder has turned the team over to Allen - apparently a lot of stuff is just getting out there because there are still so many anti-Snyder people around, can you imagine that?

on one hand we are told that Zorn's future here is not going to be determined until after the season - Allen said that he had met with Zorn and he wanted to wait until after the season was over before deciding what if any role Zorn would have here, THEN we get the info that various coaches have been contacted about the HC job here - this is not the right way to do things

Hey Debbie Downer, the interview occured before Allen was brought in here, and who says Allen has to be honest about who he is interviewing as long as he is the one who is making the call? I could care less about who's interviewed and when. It really doesn't matter except to fans who want to find something to complain about. Sit back and relax.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:44 pm

Paralis wrote:Who says they had no intention of hiring Blache or Gray? Remember that when the Skins installed Lewis as playcaller, it was by no means certain that Zorn was going to stay or be kept as HC.

We are talking about who Snyder interviewed for GM??? What do Blache and Gray have to do with that??

The only reason this is news is because of the Allen hiring. I doubt there's a team in football that's fired their HC midseason without interviewing the eventual replacement first

Right

remind me again who the Bills interveiwed and hired before they fired Juron??

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 11:46 pm

PulpExposure wrote:
Paralis wrote:Who says they had no intention of hiring Blache or Gray? Remember that when the Skins installed Lewis as playcaller, it was by no means certain that Zorn was going to stay or be kept as HC.

That's exactly right. The story "broken" by profootballtalk also specifically says: "Per a league source, the Redskins have interviewed defensive coordinator Greg Blache for the position currently held by his boss, Jim Zorn.

It's unknown when the interview specifically occurred."

And even better, the story that SJ is predicating his entire argument on, is fundamentally incorrect.

Per Redskins' Insider:

Greg Blache did not interview for the Redskins' head coaching position but secondary coach Jerry Gray did, league sources confirmed today.

A ProFootballTalk.com report stated Blache interviewed for the position currently occupied by Jim Zorn, but it was Gray,

Again not talking about HC...GM...and in reading the article it apprears the interviews don't count since the Skins do not have a vacancy at HC right now??

Paralis · Post by **Paralis** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:27 am

DEHog wrote:We are talking about who Snyder interviewed for GM??? What do Blache and Gray have to do with that??

They have everything to do with this:

.I just think when a team bring in a guy on their staff for an interview who they have no intentions of hirering.

Unless you've got a Redskins source so sekrit you can't even acknowledge the information on an anonymous basis, that's a reference to either Gray or Blache interviewing for the HC position. Because that's what's been reported, and not some unnamed Redskins staff member interviewing for the GM position.

Right remind me again who the Bills interveiwed and hired before they fired Juron??

Perry Fewell? Or do you think Levy just crossed his fingers and hoped Fewell would take the job? Remember that day that Belichick was the Jets' HC? What team would run that risk mid-season?

so.il.SKINSFAN · Post by **so.il.SKINSFAN** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:26 am

I don't know much about the "Rooney Rule" but I was listening to Chris Mortenson on the "John Kincade Show" the other day and he said that the rule is in place to give minority coaches practice runs at interviewing for head coaching postitions...it doesn't necessarily mean that team has to be interested in hiring that person for the job. I'm not quoting what he said but I think it was something along those lines.

DesertSkin · Post by **DesertSkin** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:12 pm

I don't understand or see why there would be an issue here.

As far as the GM stuff goes...if Vinny really resigned, then he could of given his "two week notice" weeks ago. Upon this notification, DS would start to look for the replacement, just like any other business. If DS told Vinny he had to go, DS could of easily asked Vinny to stay until DS had found his replacement. Sound like a reasonable conclusion then that interview would have taken place while Vinny was still around.

I view the HC interviews in a kinda similar way to trying out potential FA signees on Tuesdays. Sometimes, the best way to evaluate what you have, is to look at what's out there and available. I see nothing wrong with having the replacement in place before the firing.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:17 pm

Paralis wrote:
DEHog wrote:We are talking about who Snyder interviewed for GM??? What do Blache and Gray have to do with that??

They have everything to do with this:

.I just think when a team bring in a guy on their staff for an interview who they have no intentions of hirering.

Unless you've got a Redskins source so sekrit you can't even acknowledge the information on an anonymous basis, that's a reference to either Gray or Blache interviewing for the HC position. Because that's what's been reported, and not some unnamed Redskins staff member interviewing for the GM position.

Right remind me again who the Bills interveiwed and hired before they fired Juron??

Perry Fewell? Or do you think Levy just crossed his fingers and hoped Fewell would take the job? Remember that day that Belichick was the Jets' HC? What team would run that risk mid-season?

So your saying Blache and Gray interviewed for GM??
I never said they didn't interview for HC???

And Fewell is the interium..

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:24 pm

As long as the NFL is cool with this WHAT IS THE PROBLEM????? (and, OBTW, it's not just the NFL that is ok... it's the watchdogs, as well. )

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:28 pm

well!! I certainly feel a lot more comfortable about what's happening :shock:

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:35 pm

As the article says the Skins found a loophole with the GM hire it won't work the same for the HC job...they will still have to interview a minority and to try an get Blache and Gray to do it again is a slap in the face...but knowing Snyder he'll make t worht their time!

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:46 pm

Do you not realize that 95% of the time, that interview process is nothing more than dotting I's and crossing T's? The decision is made, the coach that the GM want's is targeted and pursued. The Rooney Rule, I believe, has not made a difference in more than 1 or 2 coaching decisions...

This means that, almost every time, the interviewees have no real shot. It's just a show.

The ARTICLE was written, btw, from a perspective intended to raise questions about the veracity of the process used to hire Allen... the plain fact is, the process for positions other than HC are deliberately designed that way. It's NOT a loophole... there is a REASON that it was written differently from the rule on head coaches... just because you and I don't know that reason, does not make it not valid.

DEHog · Post by **DEHog** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 12:51 pm

Of course I do...but it's still interesting to me and I know it goes on...I bet they relook at it thougt not just because of the Skins but because the spirit of the rule is getting watered down.

Countertrey · Post by **Countertrey** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:04 pm

I hope you're right. Personally, I think every one of the coaches currently active, black or white, would have their jobs with or without the rule... The rule served a purpose... but, at this point, only an idiot would limit his search based on skin color... and, even if the rule stays, that idiot can still make that decision.

RedskinTexan · Post by **RedskinTexan** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:26 pm

Who cares it's a crappy rule that you can't hire the best person for the job. I would hate just to get an interview because of my skin color, height, weight, or national origin. The NFL is too PC these days.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:00 pm

Countertrey wrote:Do you not realize that 95% of the time, that interview process is nothing more than dotting I's and crossing T's? The decision is made, the coach that the GM want's is targeted and pursued. The Rooney Rule, I believe, has not made a difference in more than 1 or 2 coaching decisions...

This means that, almost every time, the interviewees have no real shot. It's just a show.

I wouldn't presume to know what it's like to be a minority vying for a coaching spot, but I've also read several interviews where black coaches said it was patronizing and demoralizing to be on the other side of the table with an owner who clearly wasn't listening / caring. You have to question whether the rule is effecting the opposite of its intention: discouragement instead of empowerment.

SkinsHead56 · Post by **SkinsHead56** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:20 pm

I'm of Latino heritage, I'll interveiw for both the HC & The GM job if the Skins will fly me out.

This is so stupid. I thought this was America where you could hire who felt was the best candidate for the job. Bruce Allen is the best guy for the GM job. If Shanahan is avaiable I belive he is the best guy for the job. If the NFL wants a farce go ahead & call in a black, latino, or asian high school coach to interveiw.

I know the NFL is a old boys club but you know the glass ceilings have been broken by Doug Williams, Tony Dungy, and Obama.

I for one am calling for the end of the race card by anyone. Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton need to find real jobs now.