The College Fix

‘Equity lens’ is a required qualification, whereas ‘ability to coach’ is only ‘preferred’

Should Governor Tim Walz ever hope to return to being an assistant football coach in Mankato, he might look to Minnesota State University for his next gig.

The public university seeks a defensive assistant coach for its football team. But while it would be “preferred” that the applicant has experience coaching a defensive position and recruiting athletes, it is mandatory they embrace DEI.

“Demonstrated ability to serve a diverse population and apply an equity lens, including social justice and/or anti-racism, to the role,” is listed as a “minimum” qualification for the job.

“Ability to coach and teach highly-talented student-athletes to succeed in a challenging academic environment,” on the other hand, is simply a “preferred” qualification.

Applicants can prove their ability to promote DEI via the mandatory “diversity statement defining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and describing your views and actions toward advancing DEI including dimensions of social justice and racial equity related to race, gender, ability and culture.”

“How would your views and prior actions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion align with Minnesota State University, Mankato’s goals,” the school asks.

DEI is integral to the university’s operations, as reported by Alpha News.

The news outlet reported:

The focus on equity aligns with the institution’s “Equity 2030” strategic vision, which aims to close “educational equity gaps” across race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status by 2030. The plan, detailed on the system’s website, calls for “equity-minded collaboration” across its 37 institutions, embedding “equitable practices” throughout the system.

The requirement is part of the “core values” of the university, according to a statement it gave Alpha News.

“The employee hiring process reflects the University’s vision, which includes improving a diverse community and world, and its core values, which includes ‘diversity in who we are and what we do,’” the school stated. “Minnesota State Mankato strives to provide a diverse, equitable and inclusive working and learning environment where all are welcome.”

🚨 JUST IN: Mankato State, here in Minnesota, has posted a coaching job for their football team.

The first listed qualification for the job?

“Demonstrated ability to serve a diverse population and apply an equity lens, including social justice and/or anti-racism,
to the role.” pic.twitter.com/dn4QOsgeaK

— Dustin Grage (@GrageDustin) March 31, 2025

Assistant football coaches are not the only Mankato employees who must embrace DEI. Chemistry professors, as reported by The Fix, are also required to “apply an equity lens.”

“At Minnesota State University, Mankato, the employee hiring process reflects the University’s vision, which includes improving a diverse community and world, and its core values, which includes ‘diversity in who we are and what we do,’” spokesman Daniel Benson told The Fix for the article published in February.

He said, “all submitted materials are considered when reviewing applications, and there is no specific weight given to each of the required statements or other required material.”

MORE: Eastern Washington U. janitors must provide DEI statements

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Minnesota State University-Mankato football players celebrated; Minnesota State University-Mankato

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