When analyzing the findings of other researchers, I found multiple themes. The first theme is racial integration. Several researchers mention that the lack of diversity among front offices in the NFL can lead to less diversity among coaches they hire. The second theme is coaches moving up in the ranks. A large part of hiring a new head coach can stem from assistant coaches already in the franchise that can attain higher positions. The last theme is discrimination in hiring new coaches.
While reading many different studies that were conducted on racial integration, coaching promotions, and discrimination in hiring, I was able to understand how studies were conducted and what research has not been done yet. Many studies have been done on the progress of high-level coaches, but not many statistics show the impact the Rooney Rule has had on the hiring of minority coaches in comparison to the 70+ years before. My goal is to connect different literatures in terms of the lack of representation of minority head coaches in the NFL and in the media. I am confident my research will be unique because USA Today is a very successful network and my topic is relevant to this day.