Why the Texans Pep Hamilton could be NFL’s next Black head coach

The crowded room leaned to see Pep Hamilton. The Texans offensive coordinator was off to the side, behind the rows of chairs, behind the TV cameras and reporters, standing next to the catering staff and the balloons and the lounge pianist who’d paused when the reception inside Texas Southern University’s library and learning center began.

The focus had been on the podium, on Lovie Smith, the Texans coach university officials were honoring for becoming the second full-time Black head coach in the team’s history, the silver-bearded 63-year-old who’d helped . . .