Two Black Coaches Join Brian Flores’s Lawsuit Against the NFL

“I sat there knowing that I was the coach in ’16, as they went through this fake hiring process knowing a lot of the coaches that they were interviewing, knowing how much they prepared to go through those interviews, knowing everything they could do and they have no chance at getting that job,” Mularkey said to “Inside Pro Football Podcast.” He added that it was his biggest regret in his career.

Over three seasons, Mularkey coached the Titans to a 20-21 record. Horton, 61, coached two more seasons: as defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 2016 and as defensive backs coach with Washington in 2019. Horton is still seeking work in the N.F.L., but said in the complaint that he was viewed as a “stale” candidate and that he had not been called to interview for any head coach openings.

“When I learned from Coach Mularkey’s statements that my head coach interview with the Titans was a sham, I was devastated and humiliated,” Horton said in a statement.

He added: “Although I know that I am taking a risk being associated with this case, it would be a bigger risk to stand on the sideline and give the N.F.L. a pass for the systemic discrimination that has harmed me and so many others.”

The Titans denied the account. “Our 2016 head coach search was a thoughtful and competitive process fully in keeping with N.F.L. guidelines and our own organizational values,” the team said in a statement. “No decision was made, and no decision was communicated, prior to the completion of all interviews.”

Mularkey did not respond to a request for comment. The N.F.L. declined to comment.

The claims by Wilks and Horton echo allegations Flores made in his original complaint. In Thursday’s amendment, Flores elaborated on the fallout since he accused the Denver Broncos and the Giants of interviewing him as a part of bad faith hiring searches. Both teams have denied his allegations.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/07/sports/football/nfl-discrimination-ray-horton-steve-wilks.html