The black coaching candidates were at least as strong, if not stronger, than those who were selected. Each team could say what their justifications were, but. . . it still shows that there's an uphill battle for African-American coaches.

If you look at the first list and compare it to the second list, you'll see that the black coaching candidates were at least as strong, if not stronger, than those who were selected.

We are undeterred. We have a tremendous, deep and wide pool of strong, viable minority candidates.

Our focus for the future is OK; now we've improved the process -- minority candidates are in the room being interviewed. Our next question is, when the doors close, and the owner makes the decision, who's in that inner circle?

The positives are that we have a Rooney Rule. We have a league that is not in a state of denial, but in a state of action to try to figure out solutions and working with us in a positive way. Every time there's been adversity, we've come back even stronger.

We're disappointed. Disappointed, but not deterred. You can't look at the hires collectively and not reach the conclusion that there's a double standard and there isn't a level playing field.