NFL Fines Lions $200G Over Coach Search

AP via Earthlink ^ | July 25,2003 | Associated Press

[John W]

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The NFL on Friday fined Detroit Lions president Matt Millen $200,000 for failing to interview minority candidates before hiring new coach Steve Mariucci.

Mariucci was the only person interviewed for the job after Marty Mornhinweg was fired Jan. 27. Detroit has maintained that five minority candidates turned down interviews because it appeared inevitable Mariucci would be hired.

"While we respectfully disagree with the decision made by the commissioner and the league's diversity committee, we continue to enthusiastically support all initiatives which promote diversity in hiring with respect to coaching and front office positions in the NFL, and remain proud of the Lions' long-standing record of diversity within our employment ranks," team spokesman Bill Keenist said. "We will have no other comments on this issue, choosing rather to focus on the start of training camp and the 2003 football season."

[Treebeard]

There has simply got to be a way to work in the word "renege" in here by way of a pun and NOT draw a ban.

[yarddog]

I have never understood the notion that it is ok for Blacks to be recognized for the areas in which they are superior but it is absolutely forbidden to suggest they may be not as good in other areas.

[Dolphy]

Be thankful you have no connection with the sorry Lions. As for Millen, I have found him to be as arrogant as he has been ignorant. It's my impression that he didn't make a good faith effort to interview any other coach. He knew who he wanted to hire, yes, but at the same time it wasn't a sure thing. Common sense says he would have managed the situation more carefully, in case Mariucci fell through. It was poor management as well as a disregard for the NFL rules.

That's really my biggest problem with the guy, he charges ahead without regard for much of anything and he's had little success. As for the NFL rule, I don't really care since it is self imposed. I think they have the right to manage their affairs as they think best serves their business.

[Michael2001]

This is bogus

[Catspaw]

You mean she is a fan of Chicago Bears Football, presented by BankOne

LOL! They've tried to sell the naming rights for the Lambeau, but it's not working. Why? Because they know everyone in these here parts are going to call it "Lambeau," not "Blah Blah Field" or "Blah Blah Lambeau" or "Lambeau Blah Blah" or even "Green Bay Packers Football presented by Blah Blah Blah."

Visiting teams will be happy with the newly remodeled Lambeau field. Last year, their locker room & showers were in a doublewide. They complained so much the NFL sent out a team of inspectors to check it the "substandard" visiting locker room. It passed muster. Of course, the Packers locker room is like a palace--and was done during the off-season.

[xrp]

Whew...I refuse to support any 'professional' sports organization that does not support full American quota representation at all levels. Therefore, I expect all levels to be 70% white, 12% black, 13% Hispanic, 4% Asian and 1% Native American.

Anything other than this, in my mind, is racist, therefore I don't support it.

Sadly...it seems I am unable to support any professional sports team.

[L.N. Smithee]

But players who rape and beat up people are welcomed with open arms. This is the league of Carruth, Ray Lewis, and Randy Moss.

OK, help me with this one. You are making this statement in response to....what?

[jragan2001]

I basically quit watching baseball due to their stupidity
with the near-baseball strike last year, and given the
NFL's latest stupidity with this case of political correctness by Paul Tagliabue, I may end up boycotting
watching Pro Football eventually also. If our country's
pro sports leagues want to be so hung up on political
correctness instead of what's best, I say let's spend our
hard earned money elsewhere.

[Mr. Mojo]

Tagliabue learning some tricks of the trade from Jesse Jackson.

Shakedown city.

[Glenn]

This is from the "Onion", right?

[jragan2001]

Yeah, look what Carson Palmer and the USC Trojans did to
Notre Dame's butts last year in their meeting.

[Mr. Mojo]

I say let's spend our hard earned money elsewhere.

I still watch the NFL (occasionally), but I don't ever give them a dime.

[fishbabe]

i am shocked i tell you ...just shocked,shocked and even more shocked........how dare they pick the best man for the job,before they wasted time interviewing 1,000's of minortity candidates they did not want...i am SHOCKED!!!!!!!!

[Afronaut]

People will whine here and they will still watch.

[Moleman]

Bullsh*t.
Worth Repeating

[John W]

Lions vice chairman says team might appeal fine

---

Associated Press


ALLEN PAREK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions lashed out at the NFL on Sunday in response to the league's $200,000 fine against Matt Millen for failing to interview minorities before hiring coach Steve Mariucci.


After coach Marty Mornhinweg was fired by the Lions in January, Mariucci was the only person interviewed for the job. Last week, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue informed Millen, the Lions president, that he received the first fine levied under the league's diversity program.


"It's the height of hypocrisy,'' Lions vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. said Sunday, adding that the team might appeal.


The Lions said five minority candidates turned down interviews because it appeared inevitable Mariucci would be hired.


"What bothers me the most is that I tried to be honest about the whole thing,'' Millen said. "I could have been less honest and I wouldn't be in this situation. And that's not right.''


Tagliabue told teams in May that future failures to interview minority candidates for a head coaching opening could lead to fines of $500,000 or higher as "conduct detrimental'' to the NFL.


There are now three black NFL head coaches: Herman Edwards of the New York Jets, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts, and Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals.


The NFL has been trying for years to increase minority presence at its highest levels. The league intensified its attack on the problem after advocates announced last year they might sue if the NFL failed to hire more black coaches.


Ford, Millen and three other Lions executives met in March with the league's diversity committee in Palm Beach, Fla., to explain the process that led to the hiring of Mariucci

[smith288]

Black coaches are going to simply not go for an interview. There will be a black caucus of NFL prospect coaches and they will determine whether any black guys will attend an interview based on the caucus' decision on whether they have a shot. Then a fine will then be given as punishment to the team. UGH.

I am making this prediction...

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"Spinless people.. "

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{

Spin they got....but they are invertebrates for sure.

:)

FRegards,

[NittanyLion]

I think the NFL should've fined each of the five black prospects who turned interviews down. $40,000 seems just about right.