INDIANAPOLIS
Notre Dame received a B on the minority hiring report card released last week by the Black Coaches Association, even though the Fighting Irish fired Tyrone Willingham after the 2004 season.
Notre Dame was one of eight schools in Division I-A or I-AA to receive a B, while five schools — including South Carolina and Utah — received an F.
Schools are evaluated on categories that include the percentage of minorities involved in the hiring process, the number of minority candidates who interviewed and the schools’ contacts with either BCA executive director Floyd Keith or the chairman of the NCAA’s Minority Opportunity and Interests Committee.
The Black football coaches at three schools — Notre Dame, New Mexico State and San Jose State — either were fired or quit after last season. Notre Dame received the highest grade of the three.
New Mexico State received a C. Tony Samuel, a former Nebraska assistant, was fired after eight seasons at NMSU, where he compiled a record of 34-56. He was replaced last December by former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme.
San Jose State was given an F, failing in three of five categories. Washington, which later hired Willingham, received a B.
