Since then, the league has come a long way for African Americans. There’s been more emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Today, the NFL has six black head coaches. In addition to Dungy, Lewis and Smith, there’s Herman Edwards (New York Jets), Dennis Green (Arizona Cardinals) and Romeo Crennel (Cleveland Browns). The league has made some efforts with their minority coaching fellowship. They have encouraged owners to hire more black coaches over the years.

And there are several qualified black assistants in the NFL ready to move up to the head coaching ranks: Jim Caldwell, assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach, Indianapolis Colts; Ron Meeks, defensive coordinator, Indianapolis Colts; Donnie Henderson, defensive coordinator, New York Jets; Tim Lewis, defensive coordinator, New York Giants and Maurice Carthon, offensive coordinator, Cleveland Browns.

All of these coaches are well-qualified to be head coaches. Caldwell has solid coaching experience on the NFL and collegiate level. Before coming to the NFL, he was head coach at Wake Forest, one of few African American Division I head coaches. He has played a huge role in quarterback Peyton Manning’s success. Meeks, Henderson, Lewis and Carthon are all long-time assistants.

The only thing these coaches need is an opportunity. It’s quite possible that Capers, Sherman and Haslett could be recycled with all the jobs available. They have head coaching experience, and that’s very appealing to many owners.

Slide show   Super Bowl bound Top images from the NFL’s championship game round.

Unfortunately, that just limits the growth of African American coaches who are ready to step in and run their own programs. You hear so much about the contributions of Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren to the NFL coaching profession. And rightly so, Walsh and Holmgren have been nothing short of fantastic, developing several assistants who have gone on to be successful head coaches. It would be great to see other black coaches develop a legacy from what Dungy, Lewis and Smith have accomplished this season, too.

Speaking of accomplishments, one thing is for sure. The owners and general managers can’t overlook what African American coaches have done this season. And the more they win only enhances the opportunities for others. This season will provide a lot of inspiration for other black coaches. For most of them, it’s just a matter of time before they become coordinators, then head coaches.

In the next three weeks, the teams will begin to fill these positions. It would be a shame if no African Americans were hired for any of these jobs. Actually, it would be a disgrace with all that has been done this season. When it comes to hiring black coaches, the NFL doesn’t need to regress, they need to progress.