Each of the teams with a coaching vacancy has to interview at least one minority candidate, in order to comply with the Rooney Rule.
And the group that promotes diversity has identified the guys they hope get chances at those jobs this year.
According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Fritz Pollard Alliance has named the six candidates they’re recommending to teams this year, including Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards for the first time.
Chairman John Wooten said others on the list of recommendations are Cincinnati offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, Arizona offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin, Buffalo running backs coach and assistant head coach Anthony Lynn and Dallas secondary coach Jerome Henderson.
Jackson is in high demand, with three interviews Sunday, and it seems certain he’ll end up with his second head coaching job.
Austin has interviews with the Browns, Dolphins, Giants and Eagles, capitalizing on positive reviews from last year.
Goodwin’s first interview is with the Buccaneers, while Lynn has an interview with the 49ers and Henderson has one with the Browns.
Edwards hasn’t cracked the rotation yet, perhaps because he doesn’t call the plays on his own team (head coach Mike Zimmer does). But Wooten said he got strong endorsements from Zimmer and General Manager Rick Spielman for Edwards.
“According to Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer, he’s moved into a position where he’s very, very much involved in the game-day operation of calling the plays and runs the defense room,’’ Wooten said. “We think the Vikings have done a heck of a job of moving forward, and we think [Edwards] deserves the opportunity.’’
Whether he gets one remains to be seen, since he’s busy preparing for a playoff game. But he’s moved into the pipeline, which can’t hurt his chances at advancement.