Differences in the Success of NFL Coaches by Race, 1990-2002

Abstract

Although there have been numerous analyses of racial discrimination in professional sports, none have analyzed football coaching. Analyses of the regular season win records, and of making the playoffs, for National Football League (NFL) teams coached by both African Americans and Whites between 1990 and 2002 show that African American coaches were more successful. The analyses make racial comparisons for overall season records, records in the first year, and records in the year of an involuntary departure for the coach. There is evidence that teams that hire African American coaches are better than those that hire White coaches. Analyses that consider team quality effects also find significantly better performance by African Americans. African American coaches have been insignificantly less successful in the playoffs, however. Overall, the results are consistent with African American coaches being held to higher standards to get their jobs in the NFL.