The league confirmed Tuesday that the NFL suspended accelerator program that has been in use for three years to help increase the level of diversity in major coaching positions.

The latest accelerator event connects coaches from all backgrounds to owners and team executives, which is scheduled for next week’s spring meeting in Egan, Minnesota. There have been five such events in total since the program was established in 2022, most recently at the 2025 Scout Federation.

The Alliance gathered a wide variety of front desk candidates in December 2024 and hosted the annual Women’s Forum to further expand opportunities.

NFL Chief Executive Dasha Smith said in a statement to ESPN that the plan will be reimagined and returned next year.

"We believe that diversity of ideas and backgrounds is crucial to our success, which is reflected in policies, programs and partnerships that help us attract, develop and maintain top talent at all levels in the field," Smith said in a statement.

“Every off-season, we take a step back to reflect on the positives and areas of improvement programs and evaluate the approaches that make them more impactful. This year, we evaluated and identified other opportunities for accelerators – including a combination of coaching and front-end programs to ensure that the accelerators continue to be as impactful as possible.

“We have decided to hold the next iteration of the accelerator in May 2026. This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflect on feedback and engagement with stakeholders to ensure that we can ensure successful programs in the future. We are firmly committed to strengthening the talent pipeline and enhancing the talent environment and creating an environment that reflects the efforts of the NFL to align our efforts. We will work hard and work hard and work hard with a certain level of effectiveness, and our efforts are our efforts. Close to that goal.”

CBS Sports first reported the news.

The decision comes four months after Donald Trump signed an executive order that threatens federal action on organizations whose diversity, equity and inclusion programs violates the government's interpretation of civil rights laws. Later, Commissioner Roger Goodell began with the NFL diversity efforts in 2003 during Rooney’s reign during the week before Super Bowl Lix on February 3.

"We feel that's the right thing for the NFL and we'll keep working because not only have we convinced ourselves, but I think we've proven that it really makes the NFL better," Goodell told reporters after his speech. "We're not doing that because it's a trend to get into it, nor is it a trend. Our efforts are the foundation of trying to attract the best talent to the national and off-court NFL."