If it isn't apparent, I'm not Tony Dungy. I have never coached a football game in my life. I don't know Peyton Manning, but I have once been in the same city as him. I certainly don't work for NBC, and, if you know me, you know that I really don't like the NFL. I know: gasp! However, Tony Dungy's recent comments regarding college football programs and their apparent disregard in hiring African-American men as head coaches got me thinking. There have been a plethora of great men who have played hockey who represent the African-American community in the NHL, but that hasn't transformed into a number of head coaching jobs. In fact, there has been only one African-American head coach who has won an accolade at the professional level. And that's shocking.

It takes a pretty good understanding of the game to move into the coaching ranks. Normally, coaches are former players at some level, who have stepped behind the bench. Otherwise, they are long-time coaches - men who have perfected their craft at a lower level before moving up the ladder to new challenges. In both cases, these men have worked hard at their trade, earning the respect of their peers and players along the way.

So who was the first African-American or African-Canadian coach to win a major award, and where did he get his start? If you can believe this, the first African-American or African-Canadian coach in any major professional league was John Paris Jr., who coached the IHL's Atlanta Knights in 1993-94, and led them to the IHL Turner Cup Championship.

He was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, in a hockey-loving family. His father, John "Buster" Paris Sr., was an amateur standout with the Windsor Bulldogs in the 1930s. John Paris Sr. became a father to him and his brothers, all of whom enjoyed the sport that their father excelled at in the 1930s.

He was an undersized winger, small in stature but good enough to play major junior hockey.  Spent the 1966-67 season with the Quebec Aces, a team that had produced some other notable hockey stars. He was recruited by Scotty Bowman and the Montreal Canadians, putting on a path that seemed bound for glory.

Was given an assistant coaching job with the IHL's Atlanta Knights. Coaching alongside former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Gene Ubriaco gave him good insight on how to professionally run a hockey team. With the Knights being the minor-league affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning, it was only a matter of time before Ubriaco was summoned back to the highest level.

Coached the Knights to a 9-5-3 record, ending the season as the top team in the Midwest Division with a 45-22-14 record. The Knights swept the Milwaukee Admirals in Round One, and then swept the San Diego Gulls in Round Two to advance to the Turner Cup Final.

The Fort Wayne Komets were the Knights' opponents in the Final. It took the Knights six games to eliminate the Komets, but he led the Atlanta hockey team to its first professional hockey title, when the Knights captured the Turner Cup on home ice. With that win, He also became the first African-Canadian hockey coach to lead his team to a professional championship.

Pretty cool stuff, right? Today, you can find him  coaching at his hockey school. He holds a Master's Degree in Sports Psychology, and have Level-IV Coaching Certification from USA Hockey and an Advanced Canadian Coaching Certificate. His resume, to be honest, is impressive, and his list of achievements and accolades is highly decorated.

If there ever was an excellent role model for younger African-American and African-Canadian people who are interested in coaching hockey, He would be that role model. This story is inspiring, and the achievements are incredible. That is the kind of role model that anyone can and should look up to when needing an example of an upstanding citizen.

Congratulations to Mr. John Paris Jr. on his past successes, and wish him nothing but the absolute best in his continuing and future endeavours!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Executive Board of SONAHHR

"John Paris Jr. was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia, where most of his early sports memories concern learning to skate, and playing hockey & baseball with his father. Later, he played within the Windsor minor hockey system from where he was recruited by the Montreal Canadian organization. This marked the start of his journey that provided the ground work for the pages now etched in sports history, as he holds the distinction of being the first Black Head Coach and/or Gm in the history of Professional hockey; this same intent includes the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League & Midget AAA.

In addition to his hockey career, Mr. Paris is also known for his coaching stance against Prejudice & Hazing almost 40 years ago when he stated that no athlete should have to suffer humiliation nor rituals that are demeaning to ones personal well being, simply to be considered part of a team or event, and that talent, attitude & performance only, should be an automatic guarantee of acceptance.

His guest speaking appearances include over 6 decades of experiences, anecdotes, comparisons on topics ranging from motivation to sports performance. He remains active in the coaching field, and is presently working upon the final stages of an autobiography entitled “Circle of Mirrors.” With Mr. Robert Ashe, editor & writer - who wrote The Babe Was Here, Champions, etc.