The NFL approved a series of changes Tuesday to the Rooney Rule, an effort aimed at improving the league’s diversity within the coaching and executive ranks.
Starting next season, the league will change its anti-tampering policy, which will now allow for teams to speak to assistant coaches for coordinator positions without being blocked. Before, teams had to grant permission for coaches under contract to be interviewed. The change is intended to help minority candidates gain promotions at a faster rate.
Moving forward, NFL teams must now interview two external minority candidates for head coaching positions and at least one minority candidate for any of coordinator vacancy (offense, defense or special teams), things they did not have to do previously.