Twenty-two teams "participated this week" in the third annual NFL QB Coaching Summit, the "most ever at the summit and up from just two teams" in '19, according to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com. NFL Exec VP/Football Operations Troy Vincent said that the goal is "getting all 32 teams to participate next year." Wolfe reported this year's summit -- which ended yesterday and was conducted online over two days -- was "geared toward highlighting and teaching the diverse talent in the NFL and college ranks in hopes of solving the NFL's lack of minority coach hiring, particularly on offense." Some of the session and panel topics included the "lack of minority coaching opportunities, how to prepare for different aspects of a coaching job like building a staff, collaborating with other coaches, leadership and winning culture, fundamentals of the QB position and job interviews." There also were "mock interviews for head coach, offensive coordinator and QB coach positions" yesterday, along with "breakout networking sessions on Monday." Vincent revealed that part of the league's "seven-point mobility plan is networking opportunities." He said that the league's research "showed that key learnings from interviews revealed a 'limited informal relationship in a relationship-based industry.'" The league "hopes to have more informal networking opportunities for minority candidates in the future potentially at league meetings, the NFL combine and all-star games" (ESPN.com, 6/23).
GETTING INVOLVED: YAHOO SPORTS' Terez Paylor writes the "eight-hour, invitation-only symposium was designed to give dozens of minority assistant coaches from the NFL and NCAA an opportunity to develop professionally and explore networking opportunities with NFL club executives." Even though the "valuable in-person component of this year’s event was squashed due to the pandemic, the result of it -- the decision to shift this year’s conference to a virtual one, held over Zoom conference calls -- had a positive side effect," as several execs from multiple teams attended, including Steelers President Art Rooney II, Bills co-Owner Kim Pegula and Giants President & CEO John Mara, "not to mention NFL commissioner Roger Goodell." While it is "fair to appreciate that 22 teams participated this year, it’s also fair to wonder why all 32 teams didn’t have a representative there, especially given the strife in America at the moment." Vincent "acknowledged this, but characterized the journey as a work in progress, one with an end goal that won’t 'happen overnight'" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 6/24).
