NFL Continue to Make Strides in Coach Diversity

As part of its continuing efforts to strengthen the NFL coaching pipeline, the NFL today announced that 179 coaches participated in the 2019 BILL WALSH NFL DIVERSITY COACHING FELLOWSHIP. Of the total, 53 Bill Walsh fellows are former NFL players. 

The Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship, named after late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh, provides NFL coaching experience to talented minority college coaches, high school coaches and former players. Walsh introduced the concept to the league in 1987 when he brought a group of minority coaches into his San Francisco 49ers’ training camp.

“The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship is a tremendous opportunity for rising coaches to hone their skills by experiencing first-hand the methods and philosophies of NFL coaching staffs,” said NFLExecutive Vice President of Football Operations TROY VINCENT. “This fellowship is key to the future of the game as it identifies the next generation talented coaches.”

Since inception, nearly 2,000 minority coaches have participated in the program with support from all 32 clubs during offseason workouts, minicamps, and training camp. Some fellows were extended through the 2019 season such as NFL Legend HINES WARD who in September joined the New York Jets staff as a full-time offensive assistant. Other clubs who extended fellowships through the season include Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, and the Washington Redskins.  

Out of 86 colleges and universities represented, 17 participants are coaches with HBCU football programs and 29 were from FBS institutions. High school coaches made up 19. This year’s program participants also included four women – CALLIE BROWNSON (Atlanta and Buffalo), JENNIFER KING (Carolina), SAMANTHA MULLET (Baltimore), and TRACY ZIMMER (Atlanta). The Miami Dolphins participated with 15 Bill Walsh fellows, the most of any team in 2019.

“Our organization was excited to provide opportunities and access throughout all levels of our football operation through the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship,” said Miami Dolphins General Manager CHRIS GRIER. “Our Head Coach Brian Flores has long said there’s a great number of smart, talented leaders across the league and he is all in for whatever he can do to help others gain exposure at this level. I have seen firsthand how this fellowship can changes lives and we appreciate the full support and the commitment from Stephen Ross every step of the way.”

The Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship is just one NFL program aimed at developing a diverse pipeline for club personnel. In 2019, 17 participants completed the NUNN-WOOTEN SCOUTING FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. Nunn-Wooten, launched in January 2015, exposes former NFL players, former college football players, and current college football employees to a career in scouting. The program gives participants a unique glimpse into player personnel by introducing them to various areas related to both college and professional scouting. 

The 2020 Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship applications will open in Spring 2020. 

2019 Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship Participants

Club#Participants (background, present affiliation)
Arizona Cardinals3Derius Swinton (Former NFLcoach), Chris Wilson (Former NFLcoach), Jackson Shafer (Mississippi State University)
Atlanta Falcons8Reggie Barlow (Virginia State University), Tim Bowens (Clark Atlanta University), Rich freeman (Morehouse College), Callie Brownson (Dartmouth College), Will Tukuafu (NFL Legend), Tracy Zimmer (University of Florida), Lance Schulters (NFL Legend), Jamel Mutunga (Princeton University)
Baltimore Ravens11Derrick Alexander (Morgan State University, NFL Legend), Jordan Hogan (Cornell University), Tim Goins (Japan XL League), Samantha Mullet (Bear Lake High School), Nick Perry (University of Alabama, NFL Legend), Jay Peterson (Michigan State University), Miles Taylor (University of Connecticut), Edgar Jones (NFL Legend) Dawan Landry (NFL Legend), Mesiah Polycarpe, Rohit Mogalayapalli (University of Michigan)
Buffalo Bills4Callie Brownson (Dartmouth College), Corey Woods (Formerly Atlanta Legends AAF), Kendrick Nord (Grambling State University), Leonard Johnson (NFL Legend)
Carolina Panthers 5Renald Jeanmarie (Kentucky Wesleyan College), David Stuckman (University of Louisville), CJ McFarland, Damione Lewis (Florida International University), Jennifer King (Dartmouth College)
Chicago Bears12Mike Harris, Colston Weatherington (NF Legend), Aman Anand (Texas Tech University), Reggie Garrett (University of Maine), Tony Gilbert (University of Central Florida), Jody Owens (University of Washington), Roy Roundtree, Satyen Bhakta (Cornell University), Stan Clayton (Stetson University), Osagie Osunde (West Chester University), Napoleon Sykes (Us Naval Academy), Chris Thompson (XFL)
Cincinnati Bengals2Brandon Johnson (Betty Fairfax High School, NFL Legend), Cortland Finnegan (NFL Legend)
Cleveland Browns4Kyohei Koaska (Ashland University), Glenn Ford, Aaron McGinty, Lawrence Dawsey (NFLLegend)
Dallas Cowboys2Chris McAlister (NFL Legend), George Selvie (NFL Legend)
Denver Broncos3Lamar Owens (Georgia Southern University), Will Tukafu (NFLLegend), Jason Belser (Independence High School, NFLLegend), 
Detroit Lions1Ty Warren (Somerville High school)
Green Bay Packers9Brian Bell (New Mexico State), Steve Clinkscale (University of Kentucky), Cory Harkey (NFLLegend), Mario Jeberaeel (Abilene Christian University), Carlo Jimenez (Gardner-Webb University), Jason Joes (University of Alabama), Jerry Seymour, Ryan Smith (James Madison University), Joel Taylor (Lenoir-Rhyne University)
Houston Texans6Josh Cribbs (NFL Legend), Al Poree (McDonogh High School), Jaimie Thomas (Dickinson College, NFL Legend), Deon’tae Pannell (Peru State College), Lestar Jean (IMG Academy, NFLLegend), David Corley, Jr. (Penn State University)
Indianapolis Colts4Buddha Williams (North Dakota State), Billy Parker, Joshua Oglesby, Aaron Moorehead (NFLLegend)
Jacksonville Jaguars4Shiloh K. Keo (College of Idaho, NFL Legend), Trumaine Watson (Virginia State University), Don Nelson (Morehouse College), Drametrice Smith (Lane College)
Kansas City Chiefs8Andre Crenshaw (Missouri Western State University), Leon Douglas (North Kansas City High School), Dan Hernandez (Eastern Illinois University), Derrick Johnson (Morehouse College), Kerry Joseph (Southeastern Louisiana University), Natrone Means (Winston-Salem State University), Fred Robbins (NFLLegend), John Stuart Jr. (Lincoln University)
Los Angeles Chargers10Mario Edwards (Florida state University, NFL Legend), Todd Lyght (University of Notre Dame, NFL Legend), Israel Abraham (College of the Holy Cross), James (Jim) Jeffcoat (Formerly Orlando Apollos AAF, NFLLegend), Martin Bayless (Formerly Birmingham Iron AAF, NFLLegend), Brian Bratton (Furman University, NFL Legend), Joe Bowden (Missouri Baptist University, NFL Legend), Adrian Mayes (North Texas State University), Miguel Reveles (University of LeVerne), Kai Brown
Los Angeles Rams4Cory Harkey (NFL Legend), Thad Lewis (UCLA), Skyler Fulton, Jonathan Cooley (Kent State University)
Miami Dolphins15Devin Redd (Rutgers University), Savon Huggins (St. Peter’s Prep), Jerry Mack (Rice University), Denarius McGhee (Montana State University), Kenny McClendon (Valdosta State University), Omar Hales (Baylor University), Vaughn Johnson (Dartmouth College), Kenard Lang (Florida International University), Douglas McFadden (Lafayette University), Gerald Alexander (University of California Berkley), Jaiquawn Jarrett, Corico Wright (Furman University), Donovan Jackson, Joshua Wilson (DeMatha Catholic High School, NFL Legend), Don Broomfield (Indiana State University)
Minnesota Vikings3Anthony Arceneaux (Southern Utah University), Halakilangi Muagututia (Missouri Southern University), Adam McGuire (Trinity College)
New England Patriots3Deion Branch (NFL Legend), Troy Brown (NFL Legend), Kevin Faulk (NFL Legend)
New Orleans Saints2Cleo Lemon (Jackson State University), Corey Robinson (University of Maryland)
New York Giants5Chazmon Scales (University of Central Arkansas), Ernest Henderson (Cornell University), Gregory Thrasher (U.S. Naval Academy Prepatory School), Brandon Tate (West Liberty University), Erik Frazier (Montana State University)
New York Jets4Stephen Bravo-brown (Missouri State University), Damon Reginald Wilson (Bowie State University), David Clowney IV (Howard University, NFL Legend), Hines Ward (NFL Legend)
Oakland Raiders5Jarrett Boykin (Butler High School, NFL Legend), Robert Brooks-Quarles (Brophy College Prepatory School, NFL Legend), Stephen Nicholas, Michael Spurlock (Southeastern Louisiana University), John Tomlinson (North Carolina Central University)
Philadelphia Eagles8Jacques Cesaire, Robert Edwards (Riverwood International Charter School, NFL Legend), Cedric Williams (Georgia State University), Eddie Kennison (NFLLegend), Brandon Landers, Tim Smith (Lincoln University), Marvin Clecidor (Princeton University), Ted Washington (NFL Legend)
Pittsburgh Steelers6Christopher Shelling (Alabama A&M University), Kenneth Lucas, Jr. (Howard University), Marcus Hilliard (Virginia Union University), Brawley Evans (University of Maryland), Luke Smith (Duquesne University), Travis Kirschke (NFLLegend)
San Francisco 49ers9James Beck (O’Dea High School), Chad Brown (NFL Legend), Tony Dye (San Bernardino Valley College, NFL Legend), Fred Farrier (Alabama A&M University), Scottie Graham (Arizona State University, NFL Legend), Tywanois Lockett (Valdosta High School), Matt Merritt (James Madison university), Izaiah Prouse-Lackey (Florida State University), Steve Wallace
Seattle Seahawks4Jeron Johnson (Eastside Catholic High School, NFL Legend), Aaron Curry (Charlotte Country Day School, NFL Legend), Roy Philon (Kentucky state University, NFLLegend), Ray Willis (NFL Legend)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers5Kimble Anders (Ball High School, NFL Legend), Kevin Jones (NFLLegend), Courtney Powers (NFLLegend), Nathanial Washington (NFL Legend), George Foster (NFLLegend)
Tennessee Titans4Kevin Vickerson (Michigan State University, NFL Legend), Jason Nichols, Michael Morita (Virginia Union University), Brandon Moore (Colorado School of Mines, NFLLegend)
Washington Redskins10Devin Salley (Gonzaga College High School), Julius McNair (University of Richmond), Kelvin Bolden (University of Arkansas), Joshua Dean (Lincoln University), Bryant Foster (Charleston Southern University), Kevin Hubbard (Catholic University), PeeJay Jack (Space Coast High School), Larry Murphy (Tusculum University), Napoleon Sykes (U.S. Naval Academy), Phil Taylor (NFLLegend)