NFL's accelerator program gives minority coaches optimism that new system works

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Getting lessons on how to manage a crisis and deal with the media will help Houston quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka when and if they interview for NFL head coaching jobs.

That's exactly what the NFL 's coach accelerator program is designed to do.

This three-day program coincides with the league's spring meetings, which end Wednesday. Their current teams also are starting the third and final phase of the offseason, which kept the 28 assistant coaches very busy.

“We're ball coaches, so it's kind of funny,” Johnson said Tuesday. “We had a 15-minute break in the sessions, and almost every coach pulled up their iPad, was checking OTAs film and sending notes.”

This is the NFL's fifth accelerator program since 2022 designed to put minority candidates for head coach, general manager and other front office jobs with the people who make hiring decisions — team owners. The previous program was held last December for front office and GM candidates.

This session included a former NFL head coach in Brian Flores, whose lawsuit against the league and three teams currently is working through federal court.

Former Stanford coach David Shaw also is among the 28 coaches attending with this the first session for 19 of them.

Optimism is even higher after four minority coaches were hired this offseason to bring the number of coaches of color for the 2024 season to nine. That's the most in league history. The NFL now has six Black head coaches, including Johnson's boss DeMeco Ryans coming off his first season in Houston.

Johnson thanked the Texans' organization for seeing the value in the program and giving him the time to take part.

“It's something that you can’t put a price tag on it man,” Johnson said. “It’s a great opportunity to grow and meet other coaches and interact with owners and whatnot. So I really appreciate the program.”

The accelerator program is an extension of the Rooney Rule, originally created in 2003. Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II said they're pleased with the progress.

“We’re not where we want to be, not where we need to be,” Rooney said. "But, I think we are seeing the commitment across the league to making a difference here.”

The NFL also announced Tuesday on the first day of the league's spring meeting a new program called “NFL Source” to expand its commitment to diversity among suppliers.

The program developed over the past three years will standardize how the league and its teams connect with businesses, specifically to create a level playing field for businesses run by women, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities or LGBTQ+ to compete and get contracts.

Atlanta owner Arthur Blank hired one of the four minority coaches this offseason in Raheem Morris.

Blank noted his franchise has been committed for years to expanding opportunities, exceeding a goal using almost 40% minority representatives in building Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This program will help the NFL and its teams have access to certified suppliers.

"We have to make sure we have the discipline to follow all of that, and we’re anxious to be part of the program going forward,” Blank said.

The NFL also announced the renewal of 10 grants approved recently by the Player-Owner Social Justice Committee as part of the league's Inspire Change social justice initiative.

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The NFL's senior vice president of social responsibility Anna Isaacson speaks during a news conference at the football league's owners spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Tennessee Titans Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors Kenneth Adams IV attends the NFL football owners spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis arrives for the NFL football owners spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson arrives for the NFL football owners spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Arthur Rooney II speaks during a news conference at the NFL football owners' spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank speaks during a news conference at the NFL football owners' spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka speaks during a news conference at the NFL football owners' spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Kafka is participating in the league's coach accelerator program. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson speaks during a news conference at the NFL football owners spring meetings Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. Johnson is participating in the league's coach accelerator program designed to promote minority head coaching candidates. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

NEW YORK (AP) — Kodai Senga's injury-delayed season debut for the New York Mets was cut short after 5 1/3 innings and 73 pitches when he strained his left calf while pitching against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

After inducing Austin Riley to pop up leading off the sixth, Senga pointed toward Pete Alonso and began sprinting off the mound to clear room for the first baseman. The 31-year-old right-hander grabbed his left calf and bounced for a couple steps before falling.

Senga held his calf as he was surrounded by catcher Francisco Alvarez, manager Carlos Mendoza, his interpreter and an athletic trainer. Senga and the trainer rubbed Senga’s calf before Senga got up, exchanged hugs and handshakes with teammates on the infield and limped off.

Senga, who missed the first 102 games with a right shoulder capsule strain, allowed just two hits — including Adam Duvall’s two-run homer in the second inning — while striking out nine. He retired his final 10 batters.

Runner-up to Arizona's Corbin Carroll for NL Rookie of the Year last season, Senga was 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts after signing a $75 million, five-year contract.

Senga began a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on July 3 and went 0-0 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts, three for Triple-A Syracuse and one for Class A Brooklyn.

Right-handed reliever Eric Orze was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and emerging reliever Dedniel Núñez was put on the 15-day injured list with a right pronator strain. Right-handers Adrian Houser and Shintaro Fujinami were designated for assignment.

Núñez, 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA and one save in 24 games, had an MRI that didn't reveal any elbow ligament damage, manager Carlos Mendoza said. The 28-year-old right-hander began feeling tightness following back-to-back appearances at Miami last Saturday and experienced discomfort again Wednesday,

Houser, acquired from Milwaukee with outfielder Tyrone Taylor on Dec. 20, was 1-5 with a 7.84 ERA and one save in seven starts and 16 relief appearances. He opened 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA in his first six starts before working himself into a late-inning bullpen role by going 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 appearances from May 10 through June 30.

Hauser was scored upon in all five of his outings this month with a 9.00 ERA.

“Even when we put him in the bullpen, he was always willing to take the baseball and do whatever the team needed,” Mendoza said. “He was such a professional. It was just hard for him to find that consistency.”

Fujinami signed to a $3.35 million, one-year deal and opened the season with Syracuse. He was recalled and placed on the 15-day injured list on May 13 with a strained right shoulder, then walked eight in 8 2/3 innings over nine rehab appearances since June 25.

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New York Mets' Kodai Senga, right, high-fives Luis Severino while walking into the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga gestures while walking into the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga (34) reacts as he leaves the field due to an injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga grabs his leg as he reacts to an injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)