Latest news with #DashaSmith
13-05-2025
- Business
NFL pauses accelerator program aimed at increasing diverse hirings
The NFL will not hold its accelerator program aimed at increasing diversity among coaches at the upcoming spring meetings as the league plans to make changes to the program before bringing it back next year. The latest event in the program, which began in 2022, was scheduled to have coaching candidates of diverse backgrounds meet with team owners at league meetings next week in Minnesota. NFL chief administrative officer Dasha Smith said the program will come back in May 2026. 'This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future,' she said in a statement Tuesday. 'We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base. The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.' CBS Sports first reported the decision. The NFL recently held an accelerator program for general manager candidates at league meetings in December, a three-day candidate development program at the scouting combine and the ninth-annual women's forum. Among the people who have gone through the accelerator program and eventually got top jobs are New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and former Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon. Smith said the league intends to combine the coaching and front office accelerator programs and remains committed to increasing diverse hirings for key leadership positions. "We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success, and it's reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field,' she said. The NFL currently has seven minority head coaches and seven minority general managers. Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league's commitment to diverse hiring at the Super Bowl. 'I believe that our diversity efforts have led to making the NFL better,' he said in February in New Orleans. 'It's attracted better talent. We think we're better if we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they're women or men or people of color. We make ourselves stronger and we make ourselves better when we have that.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NFL pauses accelerator program aimed at increasing diverse hirings
The NFL will not hold its accelerator program aimed at increasing diversity among coaches at the upcoming spring meetings as the league plans to make changes to the program before bringing it back next year. The latest event in the program, which began in 2022, was scheduled to have coaching candidates of diverse backgrounds meet with team owners at league meetings next week in Minnesota. NFL chief administrative officer Dasha Smith said the program will come back in May 2026. 'This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future,' she said in a statement Tuesday. 'We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base. The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.' CBS Sports first reported the decision. The NFL recently held an accelerator program for general manager candidates at league meetings in December, a three-day candidate development program at the scouting combine and the ninth-annual women's forum. Among the people who have gone through the accelerator program and eventually got top jobs are New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and former Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon. Smith said the league intends to combine the coaching and front office accelerator programs and remains committed to increasing diverse hirings for key leadership positions. "We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success, and it's reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field,' she said. The NFL currently has seven minority head coaches and seven minority general managers. Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league's commitment to diverse hiring at the Super Bowl. 'I believe that our diversity efforts have led to making the NFL better,' he said in February in New Orleans. 'It's attracted better talent. We think we're better if we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they're women or men or people of color. We make ourselves stronger and we make ourselves better when we have that.' ___ AP NFL:
Hamilton Spectator
13-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
NFL pauses accelerator program aimed at increasing diverse hirings
The NFL will not hold its accelerator program aimed at increasing diversity among coaches at the upcoming spring meetings as the league plans to make changes to the program before bringing it back next year. The latest event in the program, which began in 2022, was scheduled to have coaching candidates of diverse backgrounds meet with team owners at league meetings next week in Minnesota. NFL chief administrative officer Dasha Smith said the program will come back in May 2026. 'This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future,' she said in a statement Tuesday. 'We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base. The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.' CBS Sports first reported the decision. The NFL recently held an accelerator program for general manager candidates at league meetings in December, a three-day candidate development program at the scouting combine and the ninth-annual women's forum. Among the people who have gone through the accelerator program and eventually got top jobs are New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and former Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon. Smith said the league intends to combine the coaching and front office accelerator programs and remains committed to increasing diverse hirings for key leadership positions. 'We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success, and it's reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field,' she said. The NFL currently has seven minority head coaches and seven minority general managers. Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league's commitment to diverse hiring at the Super Bowl. 'I believe that our diversity efforts have led to making the NFL better,' he said in February in New Orleans. 'It's attracted better talent. We think we're better if we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they're women or men or people of color. We make ourselves stronger and we make ourselves better when we have that.' ___ AP NFL:
Mint
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
NFL cancels accelerator program, aims to revamp for May 2026
The NFL has canceled its accelerator program, designed to promote diversity hiring practices for head coaches and front office positions, citing a need for improvements. The next accelerator event, which connects individuals of diverse backgrounds with owners and team executives, was scheduled to take place next week in Minnesota. According to reports, league officials determined that the program needed a revamp to improve effectiveness. "Every offseason, we take a step back to reflect on the positives and areas for improvement of our programs and assess ways to make them more impactful," Dasha Smith, NFL executive vice president and chief administrative officer, said in a statement. "This year, we assessed and identified additional opportunities with the Accelerator -- including combining the coaching and front office programs to ensure the Accelerator continues to be as impactful as possible." Smith noted that the next accelerator event would take place in May 2026, which "will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future." League officials emphasized that the cancellation does not mean it will end the NFL's commitment to diversity. Rather, it allows the league to strengthen its efforts to ensure that everyone receives fair opportunities. "We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base," Smith said. "The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal." The NFL began holding accelerator events at its spring meetings starting in 2022 after league officials perceived that owners were passing over highly qualified individuals of color for vacant positions. The NFL also has the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minorities for open general manager, head coaching and coordinator positions. So far, however, just two individuals have landed jobs as a result of the accelerator program: Ran Carthon (Tennessee Titans general manager, fired in 2024) and Aaron Glenn (current New York Jets head coach).
Winnipeg Free Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
NFL pauses accelerator program aimed at increasing diverse hirings
The NFL will not hold its accelerator program aimed at increasing diversity among coaches at the upcoming spring meetings as the league plans to make changes to the program before bringing it back next year. The latest event in the program, which began in 2022, was scheduled to have coaching candidates of diverse backgrounds meet with team owners at league meetings next week in Minnesota. NFL chief administrative officer Dasha Smith said the program will come back in May 2026. 'This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future,' she said in a statement Tuesday. 'We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base. The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.' CBS Sports first reported the decision. The NFL recently held an accelerator program for general manager candidates at league meetings in December, a three-day candidate development program at the scouting combine and the ninth-annual women's forum. Among the people who have gone through the accelerator program and eventually got top jobs are New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn and former Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon. Smith said the league intends to combine the coaching and front office accelerator programs and remains committed to increasing diverse hirings for key leadership positions. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success, and it's reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field,' she said. The NFL currently has seven minority head coaches and seven minority general managers. Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league's commitment to diverse hiring at the Super Bowl. 'I believe that our diversity efforts have led to making the NFL better,' he said in February in New Orleans. 'It's attracted better talent. We think we're better if we get different perspectives, people with different backgrounds, whether they're women or men or people of color. We make ourselves stronger and we make ourselves better when we have that.' ___ AP NFL:
