Vikings assistant Pettine leads coaching diversity workshop

By DAVE CAMPBELL The Associated Press

FILE - Then-Green Bay Packers' defensive coordinator Mike Pettine addresses the media during a press conference in Green Bay, Wisc., Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. `The Minnesota Vikings are hosting a coaching diversity summit this week, with 12 candidates from minority demographics on site for mock interviews, relationship building and hands-on training in a program spearheaded by assistant head coach Mike Pettine. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Ludtke]

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Mike Pettine has just begun his first season with the Minnesota Vikings as assistant head coach on a staff busy implementing a fresh culture and installing new schemes. The full plate didn’t stop Pettine from spearheading a pilot project designed for minorities seeking to enter the NFL coaching pipeline. The three-day workshop at Vikings headquarters is designed to further their development and increase their opportunities in a league that has long lagged in minority hiring. The 12 participants are almost entirely from the college ranks.