CNN — In February 2022, when Lovie Smith became the head coach of the Houston Texans, he addressed the issue of the NFL’s lack of diversity in coaching positions. Smith highlighted the limited number of Black head coaches and called it a problem. However, after just one season, Smith was fired with a record of 3-13-1. This makes him the second Black coach in two years to be let go by the Texans. While his tenure wasn’t filled with wins, Smith’s team showed togetherness and competence. Houston general manager Nick Caserio defended the decision to fire Smith, stating that it was the best choice for the team’s long-term success. Former players and TV pundits have criticized the Texans and the NFL for their lack of diversity and the treatment of Black coaches. The Texans have received backlash for using Black coaches as scapegoats. The NFL has implemented measures such as the Rooney Rule to promote diversity, but there have been criticisms and allegations of sham interviews to fulfill diversity quotas. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination in the hiring process. Despite these efforts, the Texans have once again fired a Black head coach, raising questions about the team’s commitment to diversity. The search for a new head coach is underway, and the Texans have indicated that they will consider both Black and White candidates.
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