PHILADELPHIA -- The NFL has moved closer to resolving its differences with the Detroit Lions who, in hiring coach Steve Mariucci, fell short of compliance with league guidelines for including minority candidates in the interview process.

It remains to be seen, however, how much progress has really been achieved in bringing more minorities to higher profile positions on the sidelines and in front offices. As is the case with such sticky issues, there are no easy answers, and certainly none were posited during the two-day NFL springs meetings that adjourned on Wednesday afternoon.

During the annual coaches symposium, though, the subject was afforded a forum. And in a two-hour session that included about 10 head coaches and 120-130 assistants, attendees heard from a series of panel members, several of whom serve on the league's workplace diversity committee.

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"Basically, my feelings are that you hire a coach just like you draft a first-rounder," said Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. "The same kind of due diligence is required. The same principles apply. In the end, no matter the color, the best man gets the job. Isn't that the way it's supposed to work?"

Certainly in theory, it is, but in application the results have not been equitable.

Pittsburgh owner Dan Rooney, who chairs the workplace diversity committee, allowed that there remains plenty of work to be done. And he noted that the committee now has focused more on some recent positives -- the hiring of Marvin Lewis as the head coach in Cincinnati and of James Harris as vice president of football operations in Jacksonville -- than on negative implications of the past.

Rooney said the Detroit issue will be settled soon, and commissioner Paul Tagliabue agreed, noting a resolution is likely to come in early June. Whether the committee makes a recommendation remains to be seen but, under league by-laws, only Tagliabue can render any kind of sanctions and the possibilities are fairly limited.

Lions team president Matt Millen reiterated that he attempted to interview minorities but had five potential candidates rebuff his overtures because the perception was Mariucci was the frontrunner by a wide margin. New York Jets coach Herman Edwards, though, told assistant coaches on Wednesday morning during his address that they are beholden to interview when the opportunities are presented.

"You get your day in court," Edwards said. "That's how it works. You have to go (for the interview). It's your obligation. It's not so much about you as it is the league. You owe it to the league, to the other coaches, to become part of the process."

Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, offered a pragmatic view of the situation. Upshaw has appointed his own diversity committee and two of its members, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Troy Vincent and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Mark Bruener, addressed the coaches.

"This is not about drawing X's and O's on a blackboard," Upshaw said. "Every coach can do that or he wouldn't be at this level. What guys have to realize is that this is about a $500 million-$800 million investment by an owner. It's about what an owner feels is the best thing for his team and what he is comfortable with doing. That's why a session like this one, where the owners get to sit down with the assistant coaches and come to know them better, is important."

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.