The NFL and Roger Goodell distributed a new anti-tampering policy on Saturday to clarify how teams with open positions should operate. It has become commonplace for years for clubs with vacancies to contact coaches immediately after the end of the regular season. However, those clubs tend to have had tough seasons, while the best candidates continue into the postseason. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Goodell and the NFL have changed the postseason hiring process.
The NFL on Friday distributed to clubs its 2023-24 anti-tampering policy and hiring documents — including key changes to the cadence for head coaching interviews, which cannot happen in-person with current NFL assistants until Jan. 22.
Here’s the high level summary: pic.twitter.com/rBBSZXvXJT
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 6, 2024
NFL and Roger Goodell: Process for Hiring Head Coaches
The lengthy memo to clubs states that current NFL assistants can only have an in-person interview with other teams after January 22. Hiring clubs will need to wait longer if the coach in interest makes the Conference Championship or Super Bowl. However, they can have a virtual interview three days after the hiring club’s Week 18 game. They can also interview with their organization at any time.
The memo also states, “Clubs seeking to fill an open head coach position must conduct an in-person interview with at least two external candidates who are persons of color and or/women for the position.” Those interviewed virtually do not fulfill the Rooney Rule requirements.
Anti-Tampering Policy for GMs and Assistant Coaches
These restrictions do not apply to general manager candidates, per Tom Pelissero. With written permission, they can earn a new position in the postseason regardless of their team’s standings. Like the rule with head coaches, “clubs seeking to fill an open coordinator position must conduct an in-person or virtual interview with at least two external candidates who are persons of color and/or women for the position.”
As for college coaches, the hiring club must receive permission from the program’s AD if the candidate is under contract. If permission gets denied, the club must end its pursuit of the candidate. Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh remains one of the highest profile named potentially heading to the NFL. On Monday, he leads the Wolverines in the College Football National Championship against the Washington Huskies.
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