The Two 'Firsts': Unpacking The True Pioneer Black Head Coach In NFL History

The title of "first black coach in the NFL" is a complex one, actually belonging to two different men separated by nearly seven decades of American football history. The true, historical pioneer who broke the color barrier in the sport was Frederick "Fritz" Pollard in 1921, a name often overlooked in modern discussions. His groundbreaking achievement came during the league’s nascent years, long before the modern NFL we recognize today was fully established.

The second "first" is Art Shell, who became the first Black head coach of the modern NFL era in 1989, marking a significant milestone after a long period of exclusion. As of the 2024-2025 season, the conversation around diversity in coaching remains a critical topic, highlighting the enduring legacy of these two trailblazers and the progress—or lack thereof—in the league's hiring practices. This deep dive explores the lives and impact of both men, tracing the lineage of Black leadership from the league’s very beginning to the present day.

Fritz Pollard: The Unsung Pioneer (1894–1986)

Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard was not just a coach; he was a multi-talented athlete, a civil rights pioneer, and one of the most important figures in the early history of American professional football. His career was a relentless assault on the racial barriers of the early 20th century.

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Biography and Career Profile

• Full Name: Frederick Douglass "Fritz" Pollard
• Born: January 27, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois
• Died: May 11, 1986, in Silver Spring, Maryland
• College: Brown University (All-American halfback)
• NFL Team (as Coach): Akron Pros (1921)
• Key Achievements:
  • First African American to play on a championship team (Akron Pros, 1920)
  • First African American head coach in NFL history (Akron Pros, 1921, as co-coach)
  • First Black quarterback in the NFL (1923)
  • Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2005)

Pollard's coaching distinction came in 1921 when the Akron Pros, a charter member of the American Professional Football Association (which would become the NFL), named him as a co-coach. This appointment made him the undeniable first Black head coach in the history of the league.

However, the league's early years were characterized by a rapid and tragic reversal of fortune for Black players and coaches. By 1933, a "gentleman's agreement" among team owners effectively barred African Americans from playing in the NFL, a color ban that lasted until 1946. This systemic exclusion meant Pollard's pioneering role was isolated, and the path he forged was immediately sealed off for decades.

Art Shell: Breaking the Modern Color Barrier

The NFL's color ban was finally broken by the Los Angeles Rams and Cleveland Browns in 1946, but the head coaching ranks remained exclusively white for another 43 years. This is where the story of Art Shell begins, representing the second, and perhaps more widely known, "first."

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On October 3, 1989, the Los Angeles Raiders hired Art Shell, a Hall of Fame offensive tackle, to replace Mike Shanahan as their head coach. This monumental moment made Shell the first Black head coach in the NFL's modern era, shattering a barrier that had stood since the league’s re-integration.

Shell's hiring was a significant cultural and professional achievement. In his first stint with the Raiders (1989–1994), he led the team to three playoff appearances and an AFC Championship game. He later had a second, less successful stint with the team in 2006. His legacy is not only about his coaching record but about the visibility he brought to Black leadership, proving that Black coaches could successfully lead an organization at the highest level of the sport.

The Trailblazers Who Followed: A Timeline of Black Head Coaches

The hires of Fritz Pollard and Art Shell opened a door, but the flow of Black coaches through it has been inconsistent and slow. The history of Black head coaches is a story of incremental progress, marked by the achievements of a select few who have managed to break through the league’s persistent diversity gap. The following coaches are among the most influential trailblazers who followed in Shell’s footsteps:

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• Dennis Green (Minnesota Vikings, 1992): Only the second Black head coach of the modern era and the first to have full control of a team for an extended period.
• Ray Rhodes (Philadelphia Eagles, 1995): A defensive mind who quickly found success, winning AP Coach of the Year in his first season.
• Tony Dungy (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1996): A legendary figure who became the first Black head coach to win a Super Bowl (with the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI).
• Herman Edwards (New York Jets, 2001): Known for his motivational style and memorable press conferences.
• Marvin Lewis (Cincinnati Bengals, 2003): The longest-tenured coach in Bengals history.
• Lovie Smith (Chicago Bears, 2004): Led the Bears to Super Bowl XLI, facing Tony Dungy in the first Super Bowl featuring two Black head coaches.
• Mike Tomlin (Pittsburgh Steelers, 2007): The longest-tenured Black head coach in NFL history and one of only two Black coaches to win a Super Bowl (Super Bowl XLIII). He has never had a losing season.

Other notable Black coaches who have held head coaching positions include Romeo Crennel, Jim Caldwell, Todd Bowles, Raheem Morris, Steve Wilks, Vance Joseph, Anthony Lynn, Leslie Frazier, and Perry Fewell. Their collective struggle and success underscore the broader issues of minority representation in the NFL's leadership structure.

The Current Landscape and the Enduring Need for the Rooney Rule

Despite the achievements of these pioneers and the existence of the Rooney Rule—an NFL policy instituted in 2003 requiring teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operations jobs—the league continues to face scrutiny over its hiring practices.

The 2024 NFL season started with a record-high six Black head coaches, but the number often fluctuates due to high turnover. As of the 2025 offseason, the league’s struggle to maintain consistent diversity in its head coaching ranks remains a headline issue.

The intent of the Rooney Rule was to increase opportunities for minority coaching hires, but critics argue that teams often conduct "sham interviews" simply to comply with the letter of the law, rather than the spirit. High-profile lawsuits and public frustration from organizations like the Black Coaches Association highlight a systemic problem where Black and minority coaches, despite having strong resumes and success as coordinators, are frequently overlooked for top jobs.

The journey from Fritz Pollard's co-coaching role in 1921 to the current cohort of Black head coaches—including established names like Mike Tomlin and newer hires—is a testament to resilience. However, the fact that only a fraction of the league's head coaches are Black, while the majority of its players are, demonstrates that the glass ceiling remains firmly in place. The legacy of both Fritz Pollard and Art Shell serves as a constant reminder that while the first step was taken over a century ago, the path to true equity in NFL leadership is still being paved.