Marshall Faulk isn't just stepping into a new role as head coach at Southern University — he's also stepping up to call out the football establishment for what he sees as systemic racism. The Hall of Fame running back, who spent last season as a running backs coach at Colorado, is one of only 13 Black head coaches in college football. That number, which has actually dropped over the past 15 years, doesn't sit well with him.
In an interview with USA Today, Faulk didn't hold back. He argued that football is uniquely hostile to players — especially Black players — who want to transition into coaching or front-office jobs after their playing days end.
“Football’s the only sport that players struggle to come off the field and become a coach,” Faulk said. “They look at us like if you’re successful at the game playing then you won’t be successful at the game in any other capacity.”
Faulk pointed to rare exceptions like Matt Ryan, who landed a top executive role with the Atlanta Falcons, and Josh McCown, who became quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings. But he contrasted those with the NBA, where a player like JJ Redick can be handed the head coaching job of the Los Angeles Lakers with zero coaching experience.
“I’m just gonna say what it is,” Faulk said. “Matt Ryan can be a G.M. Why do other players kind of go through and jump through the hoops to be a G.M.?”
He then turned to McCown: “He was in Houston. They were about to give him the [head coaching] job… He barely played. Played a few games in the league. But it happens. You can be JJ Redick and never have coaching experience and get the Lakers job. But can Marshall Faulk get the Rams job? Hell no. It is what it is.”
Faulk's comments come as football fans largely reject his reasoning. Despite the fact that there are fewer Black head coaches now than 15 years ago, many fans dismiss diversity efforts. In today's media climate, even hard evidence of a conspiracy to freeze out Black candidates wouldn't change minds, according to the article.
The issue isn't new. Faulk's critique echoes broader frustrations about the sport's pipeline from player to coach. But as he begins his first season at Southern, he's making it clear that the conversation isn't going away. The lack of opportunity for Black players to move into coaching is a stain on the game, and Faulk is determined to keep talking about it.
For more on the challenges facing college football, check out the debate over playoff expansion and the ongoing criticism of program priorities.
