Emmanuel Acho highlights Black HCs more than 3x more likely to be "one-and-done" than White HCs

Sports analyst Emmanuel Acho has highlighted a stark disparity in NFL head coaching tenures. His analysis reveals that Black head coaches face significantly higher rates of dismissal after their first season compared to their White counterparts.

Acho, a former NFL linebacker, presented these findings amid the recent firings of Antonio Pierce by the Raiders and Jerod Mayo by the New England Patriots.

Speaking on "The Facility Show" on Jan. 8, 2025, Acho broke down the hiring and firing patterns in NFL coaching over the past decade. He used concrete numbers to illustrate the disparity:

"By number, white head coaches are one and done more often than black head coaches, but by percentage, it completely pales in comparison. 11% of white head coaches are one and done. 35% of black head coaches are one and done," said Acho.

The timing of Emmanuel Acho's analysis is particularly relevant. The Raiders just dismissed Pierce after a 4-13 season, while Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Mayo following an identical record.

Emmanuel Acho tells a deeper story with numbers

NFL: Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders - Source: Imagn

Emmanuel Acho also provided a comprehensive breakdown of NFL coaching hires:

"Over the last 10 years, you have 53 white head coaches that have been hired. Over that same last 10-year period, 14 black head coaches have been hired."

These recent dismissals mirror larger patterns. Pierce's Raiders faced significant challenges, including a 10-game losing streak and the midseason trade of star receiver Davante Adams to the Jets. Mayo's situation prompted Kraft to admit on Monday:

"This whole situation is on me. I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation."

The circumstances surrounding both coaches highlight interesting issues. Former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky pointed to a broader problem on Monday:

"I think the overall thing, we have a head coaching hiring and firing epidemic. I do not know the last time we had two head coaches that were fired after the first season."

These firings add to a troubling statistic: No Raiders head coach has completed two full seasons since Jon Gruden's 2018-2021 tenure. Meanwhile, the Patriots move on from Mayo after just one season following Bill Belichick's 24-year reign.

Both situations exemplify the shortened timelines Black head coaches often face in building successful programs. However, whether that has anything to do with their color is an open question.