The NFL’s football operations department, spearheading many of the league’s initiatives aimed at achieving better diversity in the coaching and management ranks, has released its initial list of minority head coaching candidates it would endorse for any openings in 2022.

The league office works year-round to try to identify candidates and assist teams with information to shine a light on the accomplishments of worthy head coaching candidates from the pro and college ranks. The football operations department works in conjunction with current and former execs and coaches to compile a least of vetted coaches who merit serious consideration as these jobs become available over the coming months. (The Raiders are the only team to make a coaching change thus far after Jon Gruden resigned following the release of emails containing racists and homophobic language.)

Many of the candidates already have prior NFL head coaching experience and have been on the list in the past, and others are younger assistants who have yet to fully experience the interview and hiring process. The league is once again hopeful that former Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier (Bills defensive coordinator) and former Jets head coach Todd Bowles (Tampa defensive coordinator) receive strong consideration, and the list also includes former Tampa head coach and Atlanta interim head coach Raheem Morris (Rams defensive coordinator) and former Broncos head coach Vance Joseph (Cardinals defensive coordinator), whose initial stints running teams came when they were younger.

Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy remains on the list, with many in the NFL surprised the longtime Andy Reid assistant hasn’t already been hired elsewhere for a head coaching position, and the list also includes three younger coordinators and former standout players who do not have prior head coaching experience — Jarod Mayo (Patriots linebackers coach), Byron Leftwich (Tampa offensive coordinator) and DeMeco Ryans (49ers defensive coordinator).

There are also three current NCAA head coaches on the list: Mel Tucker (Michigan State), who has extensive prior NFL coaching experience, James Franklin (Penn State) and David Shaw (Stanford), who also has prior experience as an NFL assistant. The league has continued to expand the Rooney Rule and expand the scope of candidates required to be interviewed for coaching and management positions in an effort to promote more diversity in those ranks.