NCAA Football
Some positive steps in hiring
By BASN Wire Services
Sep 1, 2010

Charlie Strong (left) and Joker Phillips

NEW YORK -- Saturday's football game featuring African-American head coaches Charlie Strong (Louisville) and Joker Phillips (Kentucky) spotlights an increase in the number of minority head coaches on the sidelines this season.

The number of minority coaches in Division I at the Football Bowl Subdivision level compared to this time last year increased from eight to 15, although there are 119 coaches in that subdivision.

In June 2008, there were only three head football coaches of color at the FBS level. Overall, there are 33 minority head football coaches across all divisions, excluding Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

That number includes 29 African-Americans. The NCAA sponsors programming to assist ethnic minority football coaches with career advancement.

Programs available include the Future Coaches Academy for coaching hopefuls, the Coaches Academy for coaches with at least three to eight years of experience, the Expert Coaches Forum for coaches with at least eight years of experience and the Champions Forum for selected coaches ready to become head coaches.

NOTE: The Louisville-Kentucky game will be seen regionally on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.

DIVISION I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) (15 out of 119)