Adam Schefter reports that the NFL determined that the Raiders complied with Rooney Rule in their hiring of HC Jon Gruden and the team will not face any discipline.
An NFL spokesman released the following statement regarding the news, via Matt Schneidman:
“The NFL confirmed today that its review of the hiring of Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden complied with the Rooney Rule and that the club conducted bona fide interviews with minority candidates as part of its search process.”
The NFL actually conducted an investigation into the matter, but apparently believe Oakland didn’t cross any lines during the search process.
Gruden’s name surfaced as a serious candidate for the Raiders, even before they had officially fired Jack Del Rio, which caused some to wonder if they actually complied with the Rooney rule.
During Gruden’s introductory press conference, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie announced that they interviewed two minority candidates for the job including TEs coach Bobby Johnson and USC OC Tee Martin.
However, Raiders owner Mark Davis told reporters during the same news conference that he and Gruden reached an agreement on Christmas Eve and he fired Del Rio afterward.
The Fritz Pollard Alliance called for an investigation into the Raiders’ search and expressed concern that they had hadn’t seriously considered minority candidates for the job before striking a deal with Gruden.
Gruden reportedly received a 10-year, $100 million contract from the Raiders to return to coaching.
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