‘No wonder you lose!’: Fans react after reports link Condoleezza Rice with NFL team
American sports fans have reacted in disbelief after reports emerged that embattled NFL side the Cleveland Browns were reportedly sounding out former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice to take the reins.
Key points:
- ESPN reported that the Browns had hoped to interview Ms Rice for the vacant head coaching role at the NFL franchise
- There has never been a women interviewed for a head coaching job in the NFL
- Both parties distanced themselves from the reports, although Ms Rice used the opportunity to advocate for more women to be offered coaching jobs
ESPN, citing an anonymous league source, reported the team — that has only won three out of their last 37 games under previous coach Hue Jackson — would like to interview Ms Rice, an ardent Browns fan since childhood, for its coaching job.
But Browns general manager John Dorsey poured cold water on the rumour, saying she was not on the team's current list of candidates.
"Former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice is a great leader, possesses the highest possible character and also happens to be a Browns fan," Mr Dorsey said.
"I have the utmost respect and admiration for all she's accomplished and was honoured to meet her for the first time earlier this season.
"Our coaching search will be thorough and deliberate, but we are still in the process of composing the list of candidates and secretary Rice has not been discussed."
Mr Dorsey had opened the possibility of hiring a woman to be Cleveland's next coach after sacking incumbent Mr Jackson last week, saying that he just wanted "the best possible head coach".
"I just want the best possible head coach to move this thing forward regardless of age," he said.
"It could be a woman, too. I am serious. Who knows?"
There has never been a woman interviewed for a head coaching job in the NFL, meaning the 64-year-old would already be a left field selection, even without accounting for her lack of football experience.
Fans and pundits reacted with understandable surprise to the reports.
External Link: Closgolfing tweet:Everyone 1st take when reading the Browns want to interview Condoleezza Rice for their head coaching job External Link: Adam Silverstein tweet: Adam Schefter just reported the Browns are considering interviewing Condoleezza Rice as their next head coach.
Radio pundit Mike Francesa blew up on his New York-based radio show, Mike's On, when reports linked the former secretary of state to the role.
"So what you're saying is it doesn't take any ability of any experience to be the head coach of a football team? No wonder you lose!"
Other pundits questioned whether the NFL was really Ms Rice's area of expertise, with others highlighting that in modern America, anything was possible.
External Link: Tom Withers tweet: Condoleezza Rice is a huge Browns fan, and while I have no doubt she can deftly negotiate a peace treaty, not sure shes ready for the AFC North. External Link: Emmett Golden tweet: We elected a man with no experience in politics to lead our country but God forbid the Browns interview a woman with no experience to lead the Browns.
Ms Rice, who served as secretary of state under former president George W Bush from 2005-2009, since quashed the rumours in a statement on her Facebook page, using the spotlight to advocate for more women to be offered coaching roles in the NFL.
"On a more serious note, I do hope that the NFL will start to bring women into the coaching profession as position coaches and eventually coordinators and head coaches," Ms Rice wrote.
"One doesn't have to play the game to understand it and motivate players. But experience counts — and it is time to develop a pool of experienced women coaches.
"BTW — I'm not ready to coach but I would like to call a play or two next season if the Browns need ideas!"
Ms Rice discussed her love for the team during a visit to the Browns' headquarters in 2010. Her passion for the Browns dates to her early years in Alabama, where she and her father — who had worked with Stanford University football team in his youth — watched games together.
Ms Rice also served on the College Football Playoff selection committee as part of an increased involvement in sports in recent years.
Ms Rice also chairs a commission on college basketball, leading other fans to suggest a slightly different role would perhaps suit her.
AP/ABC
[contf]
[contfnew]
ABC .net
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
