HBCU assistant gets NFL opportunity with Bill Walsh Fellowship

An HBCU assistant coach is the latest to be in line for a huge NFL opportunity. Hampton University assistant Cedric Whitaker has been selected to be a participant in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program.

Witaker will be working with the Miami Dolphins during his time with the program. The fellowship’s aim is to increase the number of full-time minority coaches in the NFL by providing the candidates selected with the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience that could lead to full-time employment in the league.

The criteria for the fellowship include being a former NFL player and having coaching experience in high school, college, or other levels of football. Whitaker isn’t the first HBCU assistant to receive an opportunity in the fellowship. Former Howard and Norfolk State assistant Tory Woodbury is a two-time participant in the Bill Walsh Coaching Fellowship. Woodbury was recently hired as the head coach at his alma mater, Winston-Salem State University.

In a statement released by Hampton University, Whitaker spoke about the value of the experience.

“This is an opportunity for me to learn and see how things are run at an NFL camp. It is like getting a doctorate in coaching football. I will be a part of the Dolphins coaching staff, shadow coaches and have a hands-on role.”

Whitaker is a new addition to Hampton University football, as he joined the team following Van Malone’s hire as head coach. He boasts both NFL and Power 5 experience, unclear: coaching at  Baylor under Matt Rhule from 2017 to 2019 and coaching under Rhule with the Carolina Panthers from 2020 to 2022.

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