The eyes of teams across the NFL, and even in college, may have been opened Sunday.

That is after two members of the small list of African American coaches have reached the Super Bowl.

Chicago Bears’ Lovie Smith and Indianapolis Colts’ Tony Dungy became the first two African American coaches to advance to pro football’s biggest game after their clubs won in their respective conference championships.

Maybe now owners and college presidents will take a greater look at African Americans and other people of ethnic backgrounds in their hiring processes.  

Fact is, there are several good candidates out there. They just need to be given a chance.

Dungy is one of my favorite coaches in the NFL. Yes, I know being a member of the sports media, I’m not really supposed to be biased, but hey, I am also a fan.

Even though I have never met Dungy, just the way he acts on television, and the fact he is a great coach, leaves me no reason why not to like him.

Remember, he was the one who brought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back from the dead and directed them to playoff berths. He was fired after not leading the team to the Super Bowl.

He doesn’t have to worry about that now.

Dungy and Smith, a great defensive mind, have proven to be NFL coaching ambassadors for the African American community. They made history Sunday and one is bound to make more history in weeks when one wins the Super Bowl in Miami.

I find it fitting these guys advance to the big game nearly a week after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.