Bills offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn isn't convinced the NFL's Rooney Rule is serving its intended purpose in better positioning minority candidates to become head coaches.
Some teams, Lynn feels, make a practice of arranging interviews with such coaches solely to satisfy the rule, which requires at least one minority candidate be interviewed during a search to hire a head coach, general manager or other top-end positions. Lynn, who is black, said he has declined requests in the past due to suspicion that race played a role.
MORE: Ryan delivers vintage response when asked about job security
"I think sometimes people do that to check the box," he said Thursday, via ESPN.com. "I don't agree with it.
"I think it's good to get in front of the decision-makers and let them hear what you have to say. But at the same time, I think some people take advantage of it. I'm not for it. Hire the best man for the job. That's all I want."
Lynn, a former NFL running back who has coached in the league since 2003, was promoted to offensive coordinator in September after the Bills fired Greg Roman. And as rumors swirl around the job security of Bills head coach Rex Ryan, Lynn has emerged as the likely candidate to succeed Ryan, at least on an interim basis.
MARVEZ: Cardinals have plan to improve minority hiring
Lynn interviewed with the Dolphins and 49ers for vacant head coaching positions last offseason. He's considered a potential candidate for other possible NFL head coaching jobs this coming offseason.
In 2014, he was a candidate to replace Ryan with the Jets after Ryan was fired. New York opted instead to hire Todd Bowles.
Bowles is one of six minority head coaches currently working in the 32-team NFL.
"[The Rooney Rule] has its pros and cons," Lynn said. "If I didn't do the interview in New York, maybe my name wouldn't be circulating right now, I don't know. But I think it's good to get in front of the decision-makers and let them hear what you have to say."
