The Situation With Modern Leadership Stacking: Racial Politics, Racial Discourse, and the Realities for Black American Coaches—Who Keeps Moving the Goalposts?

The practice of racial stacking continues to play a significant role in the National Football League (NFL or the League). This paper explores the effects of racial stacking on NFL hiring practices by enumerating examples of the selection of football players and how it fosters a disadvantageous environment for Blacks who desire to become head coaches and leaders of sport franchises. With data analysis that showcases hiring practices that affect Black and Brown head coaches and front-office personnel, the paper traces the hiring of Black presidents, general managers, and head coaches while critically assessing indicators of color blindness within the pipeline to NFL leadership positions. We contend that channeling athletes to specific playing positions on a team adversely affects their chances of advancing to leadership roles as coaches and team executives.