NABC, WBCA pledge support for WCC's 'Russell Rule'

The National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) have pledged their support for the West Coast Conference's "Russell Rule."

The new policy, which is named after Boston Celtics legend and former San Francisco standout Bill Russell, requires at least one minority candidate to be included on the list of finalists for athletic job vacancies.

"The NABC commends the WCC on this forward-thinking initiative, and encourages other college athletics conferences to adopt similar policies," NABC executive director Craig Robinson said in a statement. "Improving diversity among coaches and administrators in college athletics has long been a shared goal of the NABC and WBCA, and we believe the 'Russell Rule' is a positive step in that direction."

The policy comes after the NFL instituted changes to the Rooney Rule in May. All teams must now interview at least two external minority candidates for head coach openings and a minimum of one minority candidate for any coordinator role.

The NCAA has previously stated that it cannot legally adopt such a policy. The "Russell Rule" was implemented by the WCC without consultation from the NCAA.