News - May 13, 2003
RESPONSE TO UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HIRING
Joint Statement by John Wooten, Chairman and Kellen Winslow, Executive Director The Fritz Pollard Alliance
"The Fritz Pollard Alliance recognizes that there are coaches in the NFL who would welcome the opportunity to return to the college ranks as head coaches, especially their alma maters.
We are rather disappointed that the University of Alabama in the selection of a Head Football Coach has chosen to ignore the overwhelming credentials of one of it's own. Sylvester Croom is preeminently qualified for the job of Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama.
We are left wondering, that with the successful athletic and coaching career of Sylvester Croom as an All-American football player at the University of Alabama, as an assistant Coach for ten years at the University of Alabama and his successful tenure in the National Football League, what more is required for the University of Alabama to hire an African-American as Head Football Coach? We are also alarmed that John Mitchell, defensive line coach at the Pittsburgh Steelers, was not mentioned in this search.
Alabama's failure to hire an individual of this caliber should create a concern for current and prospective African-American student-athletes and their parents.
The University of Alabama, the first SEC school to integrate on the field, has once again missed the opportunity to regain the leadership role in the integration process of the SEC."
For more information, please contact Jaki Lee @ 202-822-5100.