For MLB, all but 4 managers in 2019 had MLB playing experience and all played professionally at some level. As the linked list shows, it’s pretty rare in baseball history to have a manger with no professional playing experience.I';m not sure why NFL experience as a player means much, but I'd be interested to see a comparison to other professional leagues in the US with all these factors.
https://www.baseball-almanac.com/mgrnon.shtml
9 current NBA coaches played in the league. 3/8 black head coaches are former players, so slightly higher percentage of former players.
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