Todd Bowles has become one of four Black men who currently serve as head coaches in the NFL. Bowles, who had been working as the defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, took the new position with the team on Wednesday after Bruce Arians stepped down from coaching, WTSP reports.
According to the IndyStar, at the beginning of the year, there had only been 24 Black head coaches in the history of the NFL.
The former defensive coordinator also becomes the fourth Black head coach in the Buccaneers’ 46-year history. No other team has had more than two Black head coaches in its history, according to NFL Insider’s Adam Schefter.
Todd Bowles now becomes the fourth Black head coach in Buccaneers’ history – two more than any other NFL team ever has had.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 31, 2022
Tony Dungy became the Buccaneers’ first Black head coach when he was hired in 1996. In 2009, the team hired their second Black head coach, Raheem Morris. Lovie Smith became the third in 2014.
Bowles expressed his gratitude for the team after taking his new position.
“I am appreciative of the Glazer family and Jason Licht for having faith in me to take on this role, and to Coach Arians for his support and guidance over the past four decades,” the new head coach said, according to the Bucs’ site. “Tampa has become home for my family, and we are excited to remain part of this community for years to come. As an organization, we have all the pieces in place to continue the winning standard that has been established here in recent years.”
According to ESPN, Arians will be moving into a front-office role with the Buccaneers.
“I have accomplished more than I ever dreamed I could during this incredible coaching journey,” the former head coach stated, ESPN reports. “Winning Super Bowl LV at our home stadium, with my mom and family in attendance, was really the last item I wanted to check off my career bucket list.”
The NFL has been facing backlash for its lack of diversity in high-ranking positions. As Blavity previously reported, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores most recently brought attention to the issue after he was fired from the team in January. Flores brought complaints against the team, saying race played a factor in the Dolphins’ decision to let him go.
“God had gifted me with a special talent to coach the game of football, but the need for change is bigger than my person goals,” Flores said in a statement, according to USA Today. “In making the decision to file the (complaint), I understand that I may be risking coaching the game that I love and that has done so much for my family and me. My sincere hope is that by standing up against systemic racism in the NFL, others will join me to ensure that positive change is made for generations to come.”
