She’s traveled the world representing the United States. Now, with a love of football and specifically the Cleveland Browns, could Condoleezza Rice call the plays?
ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that the Cleveland Browns were interested in interviewing former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for the team’s head coaching job.
This was huge news for the NFL, and really, the American people.
Rice would be the first woman ever interview for an NFL head coaching position (along with being the first former secretary of state, and first head coach without any football coaching experience).
She is a lifelong Browns fan, a love she developed from watching Cleveland’s games with her father at their home in Birmingham, Alabama.
Condoleezza Rice models a Cleveland Browns Jersey in NFL Ad.
Rice attends some of their games and was spotted on the field with owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam before Cleveland’s game in Oakland on Sept. 30th.
Rice, 64, is no stranger to football or sports.
In the last year, and in response to an FBI investigation that uncovered corruption in college basketball, Rice chaired a commission that called for changes to the sport’s one-and-done rule.
In the past, she has also served on the College Football Playoff committee.
The thought of Rice coaching isn’t surprising, considering the women who have recently moved into decision-making roles in men’s professional sports.
The San Antonio Spurs hired Becky Hammon as an assistant coach, the Buffalo Bills hired Kathryn Smith as a quality control assistant, the Oakland Raiders hired Kelsey Martinez to their strength staff and the San Francisco 49ers hired Katie Sowers as an offensive assistant.
But, alas. News of Rice and the Browns was too good to be true.
While the idea floated around on sports talk shows for about 24 hours, today Rice shut it all down:
On Facebook she wrote: “I love my Browns — and I know they will hire an experienced coach to take us to the next level,” Rice said in a statement posted to her Facebook page. “On a more serious note, I do hope that the NFL will start to bring women into the coaching profession as position coaches and eventually coordinators and head coaches. One doesn’t have to play the game to understand it and motivate players. But experience counts — and it is time to develop a pool of experienced women coaches.
“BTW — I’m not ready to coach but I would like to call a play or two next season if the Browns need ideas! And at no time will I call for a ‘prevent defense.'”
The Brown’s then issued their own statement from general manager John Dorsey:
“Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a great leader, possesses the highest possible character and also happens to be a Browns fan,” GM John Dorsey said. “I have the utmost respect and admiration for all she’s accomplished and was honored to meet her for the first time earlier this season. Our coaching search will be thorough and deliberate, but we are still in the process of composing the list of candidates and Secretary Rice has not been discussed.”
Dorsey shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it publicly.
The fact anyone with a high profile, like Rice, would want that thankless job in Cleveland should make him very happy.