Separation of God and Gridiron

Newspaper reports assistant football coach lost his job for religious beliefs

University of Nebraska Assistant Football Coach Ron Brown was denied the head coaching job at Stanford University, reports The Daily Nebraskan, because of his religious beliefs. Of particular concern was his candid belief that homosexual behavior is a sin. His religion “was definitely something that had to be considered,” Alan Glenn, Stanford’s assistant athletic director of human resources, told the student newspaper. “We’re a very diverse community with a diverse alumni.” Brown says he was shocked at both the decision and the school’s candor.

“If I’d been discriminated against for being black, they would’ve never told me that,” he said. “They had no problem telling me it was because of my Christian beliefs.” Glenn later backed away from his statement, but others, including San Francisco Chronicle columnist Mark Simon, say Stanford was right not to hire such an outspoken Christian. Brown, meanwhile, says the Stanford rejection won’t silence his Christian beliefs. “I don’t believe you compromise any truth for whatever job,” he said.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere

Other articles include:

Religious beliefs present hurdles for coach’s careerThe Daily Nebraskan (April 11, 2002)

Coach Ron Brown’s beliefs don’t call for discriminationThe Daily Nebraskan (Editorial, April 11, 2002)

Religion not a considerationThe Daily Nebraskan (Letter to the Editor, April 12, 2002)

The Daily Nebraskan stands behind Thursday’s front-page storyThe Daily Nebraskan (Editorial, April 15, 2002)

Weblog: Stanford Accused of Discriminating Against Christian Coach ProspectChristianity Today (April 16, 2002)

Also in this issue

How Firm a Foundation? Habitat for Humanity's greatest challenge: its massive popularity

Cover Story

How to Build Homes Without Putting Up Walls

From the Fringe to the Fold

Letters

Hindus Continue to Slaughter Muslims in India

"Growing Protestants, Catholics Draw Ire"

Heresy Charge Torpedoes Pastor's Political Debut

The Wages of Secularism

Interstate Nation

The Postmodern Moment

"Bearing the Cross: Hounded, Beaten, and Shot in India"

Prayer

Two Cheers for Celibacy

Free the Burnhams

Mark the Date

Quotation Marks

"Do the Dew, Davey"

No Secrets about Agents, Man

Pakistan: Court weighs appeal of death-row Christian.

Kazakhstan: Constitutional Council rejects new religious restrictions.

Who's a Jew?: Messianic ministry sued over use of menorah.

Family Feud: Theologians Decry 'Narrow' Boundaries.

National Association of Evangelicals regroups in nation’s capital

Right to Die: Hawaii kills physician-assisted suicide bill

"Religious Liberty: Falwell, ACLU fight church restrictions and win."

"RU-486: After two die, Danco Labs warns doctors about dangers."

Defender of Dignity

The Smiling Grandfather Clock

Evangelism of the Hammer

Keeping the Faith

View issue

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Take a Look at Me Now

Presidential campaign updates, the Taliban’s new Code of Laws, and caring for our souls.

News

German Pastor to Pay for Anti-LGBTQ Statements

Years of court cases come to an end with settlement agreement. 

News

Should Christians Across Denominations Be Singing the Same Songs?

Some traditions work to refocus on theological distinctives in their music as worship megahits take over.

News

Rwanda Explains Why It Closed Thousands of Churches. Again.

The East African nation has shuttered 9,800 “prayer houses” because it wants safe buildings and well-trained pastors. Is that too much to ask?

News

Activist Lila Rose Under Fire for Suggesting Trump Hasn’t Earned the Pro-Life Vote

As conservatives see bigger shifts and divides over abortion, Live Action founder says she’ll keep speaking up for stronger policies.

More Christian Colleges Will Close. Can They Finish Well?

The “demographic cliff” will force schools to cut jobs or shut down—but how they do it matters.

Choose This (Labor) Day Whom You Will Serve

Exodus reminds us that our work can be exploitative, idolatrous, or kingdom oriented.

What to Watch for in ‘Rings of Power’ Season 2

The sumptuous Tolkien prequel has returned. Here’s what a few CT writers noticed.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube