Jennifer King Makes History as NFL's First Black Female Coach
Today, Jennifer King will become the first woman to be an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears in team history. The Bears are hiring King to be an offensive assistant who will work with the running backs, Chicago Tribune reported the news.
King, 39, has been the Washington Commanders assistant running backs coach the last three seasons. Washington hired her full-time in 2021 — making her the first Black woman assistant position coach in NFL history — after she was a full-season coaching intern a year earlier.
Last year, she served as the running backs coach in the collegiate Senior Bowl and previously coached in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Born and raised in Eden, North Carolina, Jennifer's passion for sports ignited early in life. Despite facing myriad challenges, she excelled in collegiate softball and basketball before earning her degree in sports management from Guilford College in 2006.
Her coaching career began at Greensboro College, where she amassed an impressive record, leading the team to numerous victories and championships. Undeterred by obstacles, she transformed the women's basketball program at Johnson & Wales University into a national powerhouse in just two seasons.
Jennifer's grit extended beyond the basketball court. She showcased her versatility in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA), proving to be a formidable player for various teams, including the Carolina Phoenix and the New York Sharks.
However, her aspirations soared higher. Jennifer's pivotal moment came when she attended the NFL's Women's Forum in 2018. There, she shared her ambition with Ron Rivera, then head coach of the Carolina Panthers, igniting a spark that would change the course of her career.
Rivera recognized Jennifer's potential and brought her on board as an intern with the Panthers, where she honed her skills coaching wide receivers. Her talent caught the attention of the Arizona Hotshots, where she secured her first full-time coaching position in the Alliance of American Football (AAF).
But Jennifer's journey was far from over. In February 2020, she made history once again, joining the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) as a full-year coaching intern under Rivera's guidance. Her role with the Redskins saw her making invaluable contributions to the offensive line and assisting renowned coaches like Randy Jordan.
Rivera's praise for Jennifer speaks volumes about her impact and dedication to her craft. He lauds her as a beacon of talent and work ethic, recognizing her seamless integration into the coaching staff and her commitment to excellence.
As Jennifer King blazes a trail in the NFL, she not only inspires aspiring coaches but also symbolizes hope and progress in a field long dominated by tradition. Her journey serves as a reminder that barriers are meant to be broken, and dreams are within reach for those courageous enough to pursue them.