Column: Shame on college football for lack of black coaches

Colleges around the country wrapped up their football signing classes this week, proudly touting scores of African American athletes as the next big stars.

It’s a whole different situation on the sideline. Segregation still rules the coaching ranks. And not just the top guys.

A review of all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision schools found shockingly low numbers, with blacks still largely shut out of head coaching positions and, to an even greater degree, the prime coordinator spots.

While the NFL has come under fire for its lack of minority coaches, the situation appears more dire at the college level.

Frankly, there’s little reason to believe the sport will ever become more inclusive beyond the field, even though roughly half the players are African Americans.

“College coaches are expected to fund-raise and schmooze with alumni as well as coach,” said Mark Naison, a professor of African American Studies and History at Fordham University. “The rich alumni, most of whom are white, feel more comfortable with people who look like them. So long as alumni dollars drive college football funding, white coaches will have a huge hiring advantage. ”

This much is clear:

• Blacks are less likely to be hired as a head coach, offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator.

• Blacks rarely get a chance to stand out at the most prominent schools.

• Blacks generally get a shorter time frame to prove their coaching skills.

• Blacks find it more difficult getting a second chance if things don’t work out in their initial jobs.

At college football’s top level, there are 13 African American head coaches at FBS schools, down from 15 two years ago and roughly in line with the NFL’s puny numbers (three out of 32).

The rates are downright alarming when it comes to...