North Carolina Central coach LeVelle Moton, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to hold conference supporting minority basketball coaches
Posted April 3, 2024 12:53 p.m. EDT
Raleigh, N.C. — North Carolina Central University basketball coach LeVelle Moton and Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin are partnering to launch an initiative to help minority men’s and women’s basketball coaches advance their careers.
“The Next Up” conference is set for May 30-31 in Raleigh. It aims to identify Black and minority coaches who could benefit from relationships with decision-makers and executives across the collegiate landscape, according to reports.
"It's not only a moral obligation, but a social responsibility to leave the game and our vocation better than we found it," Tomlin said in a statement to ESPN.
Attendees for the conference have already been selected, according to the Timeout Sports Podcast.
Moton has previously attended Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
"[Tomlin] and I were talking about our careers, trajectory and challenges," Moton told ESPN. "We noticed the landscape had changed because of the addition of search firms and hiring practices.
“Mike wanted to plant coaching seeds for trees that we'll never see grow. So 'Next Up' was born to connect and familiarize Black and minority coaches with presidents, athletic directors, search firms and potential employers."
