Coaching: colleges' (un)level playing field. (Last Word).(Brief Article)

The high-profile hiring of Tyrone Willingham as the head football coach at Notre Dame University earlier this year ended an extensive -- and controversial -- search at the prestigious institution. Although the hiring of an African American by the nation's most storied football program was significant, the total number of Black coaches in NCAA Division I-A actually decreased this past winter. In spring 2002, only 4 of 115 of head coaching positions are occupied by African Americans.

Since the conclusion of the 2000 season, there have been 34 headcoaching vacancies. Only two African Americans have been hired: Dr. O. Fitzgerald Hill at San Jose State University in 2000 …