From politics to the NFL: Could Condoleezza Rice be Cleveland Browns coach?

Recent rumors claim that the political scientist could be the new coach of the team. How possible is it?

This week, rumors surfaced about the name of the next coach of the Cleveland Browns team, as ESPN revealed that the team would be considering Condoleezza Rice as the head coach. Yes, Rice herself who was Secretary of State in the government of George W. Bush, between 2005 and 2009.

Leer en español: De la política a la NFL: ¿Condoleezza Rice podría ser entrenadora de los Cleveland Browns?

As crazy as it sounds, the idea made sense according to the statements made last week by John Dorsey, the general manager of the Cleveland Browns. "I just want the best possible coach to move this thing forward regardless of age, it could also be a woman, do not look at me like that, I mean it, who knows, we'll see that everything is what I'm trying to tell you," he said in statements collected by Football Scoop.

The political scientist and diplomat has been a Cleveland fan since she was a child. The love for the team was developed by watching the team games with his father at her home in Birmingham, Alabama. In September she was seen in one of its games along with the owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, before the Cleveland game in Oakland on September 30, as ESPN states.

Beyond being a loyal fan of the team, Rice had already been "close" to the sports world. During 2013 and 2016 "she was part of the College Football Playoff selection committee", as reported by Marca. In addition, the media adds that in December 2017, she led the NCAA investigation about the violations of the rules of recruitment in collegiate basketball. She has also participated in several NFL advertising events.

However, several sports journalists said that this idea could be fatal for the team. Corbin Smith of the US media The Daily Beast said that hiring Rice would not be the best option.

"Being an NFL coach is a grueling exercise in lifelong single-minded obsession. Rice has spent most of her life encouraging the US government to go to war, not thinking about or football or earning tangible coaching credentials of any sort, aside from being a longtime fan of the team and a sport that has demonstrated its total lack of regard for the long-term mental and physical health of its players."

Browns interested in interviewing Condoleezza Rice for head coaching job, source tells ESPN.https://t.co/cgxCUgbF8j

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) 18 de noviembre de 2018

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Just rumors

Unfortunately for the fans, the chances of Rice directing the Browns are few. Given the expectation and anxiety that caused the news, both Dorsey and Rice denied the news. Thus, the former Secretary of State said on her Facebook: "I love my Browns — and I know they will hire an experienced coach to take us to the next level.

On a more serious note, I do hope that the NFL will start to bring women IGNORE 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."

On the other hand, John Dorsey said that while Rice would be a very intelligent coach and "a nice person and a great leader", the truth is that "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."

For now, the Cleveland Browns will continue its search for a male coach, or a female coach due to the initiative to include more women in the sport. It should be recalled that the Browns fired coach Hue Jackson at the end of October when the team lost 33-18 against the Pittsburg Steelers.

LatinAmerican Post | Laura Viviana Guevara Muñoz

Translated from "De la política a la NFL: ¿Condoleezza Rice podría ser entrenadora de los Cleveland Browns?"

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