Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s public universities would be compelled to interview at least one minority candidate for coaching jobs, under a measure that passed the state Senate Friday. 

The vote was 29-to-0 to require the step, meant to encourage diversity in the coaching ranks.

Ethan Lindsey reports.

Oregon is the first state in the country to require that at least one minority candidate be interviewed for an open head coaching job.

Oregon may be the trailblazer because of backlash against the process the University of Oregon used to hire its new head coach.

Chip Kelly, the Ducks' offensive coordinator, was given the head job in a succession plan without outside interviews – at the same time, former head coach Mike Bellotti was named the athletic director-in-waiting.

Bellotti supports the legislature's move, but says sports and society would change without it.

Mike Bellotti: “I believe in 10 years it will change anyway. There aren’t the barriers that there were 20-30 years ago. It will happen regardless of this rule. It will though, help, and I think others will follow to open up the doors and the pathways.”

The law, modeled after a rule in Pro Football, is meant to help reduce the disparity between the number of minority head coaches and players.

The Governor's office says he will sign the bill.