Oregon law on hiring minority college coaches works, so why isn’t it used elsewhere?

On Jan. 1, Oregon's law turned 10 years old. For a decade, it has required state schools to interview at least one qualified minority candidate for all head coach and athletic director openings. The result has been historic gains in diversity hiring.

"That was a fairly novel idea for a state legislature," said Bonamici, now a member of Congress. "To get that much bipartisan support, it really says something about not only Sam and his tenaciousness, but also, people were really open to the idea, saying, ‘Look, diversity matters. It makes a difference to the people who are applying, and it also makes a difference to the athletes.' "

Bonamici said U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer both have brought up the Rooney Rule in discussing efforts to diversity staff. "I don't know why it hasn't spread," she said. "Other states should look at it."