NFL pauses coach accelerator, plans to reimagine program - ESPN

The NFL has paused the accelerator program it has used for three years to help increase diversity levels in key coaching positions, the league confirmed Tuesday.

The latest accelerator event, which connects coaches of diverse backgrounds with owners and team executives, had been scheduled to take place during next week's spring meeting in Eagan, Minnesota. There have been a total of five such events since the program's inception in 2022, most recently with coaches at the 2025 scouting combine.

The league gathered diverse front office candidates in December 2024 and also held its annual Women's Forum to further expand opportunities.

In a statement provided to ESPN, NFL chief administrative officer Dasha Smith said the program will be reimagined and return next year.

«We believe diversity of thought and background is essential to our success,» Smith said in the statement, «and it's reflected in the policies, programs, and partnerships that help us attract, develop, and retain top talent at every level on and off the field. ...

»Every off-season, we take a step back to reflect on the positives and areas for improvement of our programs and assess ways to make them more impactful. This year, we assessed and identified additional opportunities with the Accelerator — including combining the coaching and front office programs to ensure the Accelerator continues to be as impactful as possible.

«We have decided to hold the next iteration of the Accelerator in May 2026. This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future. We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects