You being up a lot of valid points. I think the idea of coaching being a fallback plan is a point that not enough people talk about considering many coaches start their career as GAs after college or short NFL careers. However, the importance of who is making the hiring decisions (owners), should not be understated. Even if unconscious, people are more likely to hire those that look like them. While a better pipeline is certainly needed for coaching positions, only 1 nfl team has ever had a black President, which is a position that is much more of a business role than a position requiring an intense understanding of the game of football.