It’s Hurting Black Coaches — And the Game Deserves Better Than Stephen A. Smith’s Recent ‘Hot Takes’

I’ll start with a simple, honest statement:

I love Stephen A. Smith.

I respect the doors he’s opened. I respect the energy he brought to sports media. And I respect how his voice has helped shape opportunities for Black commentators and advocates.

That impact is real — and it matters.

But something needs to be said plainly: at this point, Stephen A.’s football commentary is doing more harm than good.

And it’s hurting Black coaches and the integrity of the game.

When Advocacy Crosses Into Inaccuracy

In a recent episode of ESPN’s First Take, Stephen A. made a major claim: he insisted that Ryan Clark should have been interviewed for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coaching job — seriously suggesting this after the Steelers hired a Super Bowl-winning head coach with real coaching experience instead.

Former NFL safety and Steelers legend Ryan Clark is beloved in Pittsburgh — and that loyalty is understandable. But simply saying someone “deserves consideration” without any coaching track record isn’t honest analysis. It’s emotional appeal dressed up as insight.

That moment didn’t elevate a conversation — it undermined it.

This Isn’t Mere Debate — This Is Bad Football Commentary

Social media clips — from Instagram and YouTube — show the intensity of fan reaction. Fans weren’t just amused or confused; many were baffled that such a suggestion was put forward seriously in a national broadcast.

At a time when the NFL is striving to ensure coaching hires are evaluated fairly and competitively, throwing around high-profile names without context doesn’t help anyone. It shifts the conversation from merit, preparation, and experience to emotion and nostalgia.

That doesn’t serve Black coaches. That doesn’t serve the NFL. That doesn’t serve the fans.

Context Matters: Real Success Is Earned

Football has always been a meritocracy.

Teams hire coaches based on:

• Experience
• Results
• System fit
• Leadership capability

Fans and media alike value fairness because it produces the best football — and the best leaders in the sport.

Suggesting someone without coaching experience should be considered for a critical head-coaching role might make for a viral TV moment, but it doesn’t make for good football decision-making. That sort of narrative devalues the real work coaches put in to earn their opportunities — especially the Black coaches grinding every day to break through long-standing racial gaps in NFL leadership.

We Lose Focus When Hot Takes Replace Substance

A decade ago, Stephen A.’s insistence on more opportunities for Black coaches sparked important conversations. That discussion was necessary — and it carried value. But that was substance.

What we’re seeing now is noise — buzz labeled as advocacy but lacking grounding in football reality.

When media personalities treat coaching decisions like game show commentary, the deeper issues get overshadowed:

• The actual pipeline for diverse coaching leadership
• The systems that block qualified candidates
• The accountability needed in hiring practices

And that matters far more than momentary spectacle.

The Game Deserves Better

This isn’t a call to silence anyone.

It’s a call to raise the level of conversation.

Black coaches deserve advocacy that:

• Is rooted in merit
• Honors real accomplishments
• Highlights qualified leadership
• Demands fairness — not favoritism

Football deserves commentary that elevates understanding — not just emotions.

Fans deserve truthful analysis rooted in expertise — not guesswork.

And the next generation of coaches deserves a conversation built on respect for the game, not just loud personalities.

For real progress, we need depth over distraction. Merit over theatrics. And substance over sound bites.

Because when we lose focus on what truly matters — fairness, opportunity, preparation, and real experience — everyone loses.