The Fritz Pollard Alliance, which has promoted equal opportunities for minorities in NFL hiring since its founding in 2003, downplayed concerns Tuesday over the Oakland Raiders potentially skirting the Rooney Rule amid a deal with Jon Gruden appearing imminent.
"I would trust the judgment and integrity of [Raiders owner] Mark Davis and [general manager] Reggie McKenzie to the point that they have already spoken to minority candidates who could be available veteran coaches, just like Jon Gruden is a veteran ex-coach," Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten told ESPN on Tuesday.
ESPN's Adam Schefter has reported that Gruden is expected to become the Raiders' next coach following nine seasons as an ESPN analyst.