Washington Football Team Makes Historic Hire

The Washington Football Team announced Tuesday that they have promoted Jennifer King to full-time assistant running backs coach. King, 36, becomes the first African-American full-time position coach in NFL history. She served as the team’s coaching intern for the 2020 season.

“Coach King is well deserving of the promotion to assistant running backs coach. She came to Washington eager for the opportunity to work as a full-year coaching intern and learn from our staff,” said Head Coach Ron Rivera. “She got the chance to experience not only the in-season work that goes into being a full-time coach in this league but also the countless hours that are spent preparing in the offseason as well. She demonstrated all of the qualities that are needed to work full-time on my staff. She is a hard worker, a great communicator and a quality person. Coach King is always eager to learn and has shown tremendous growth since starting here last season. I know she will continue to be an asset to Coach Turner, Coach Jordan and the running back group and she earned this opportunity with her hard work. The sky is truly the limit for her.”

Previously, King interned with the Carolina Panthers with Rivera.

Over the course of a 12 year playing career (2006-2017), King won two national championships with the Carolina Phoenix and New York Sharks in the Women’s Football Alliance. She played quarterback, receiver and safety.

The news was expected but became official Tuesday.

Congrats, Coach King!

With her promotion, Jennifer King becomes the first African American female assistant position coach in @NFL history!

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 26, 2021

The Washington Football Team officially announced Jennifer King as assistant running backs coach after serving as the team’s full-year coaching intern this season. Becomes the first Black woman named a full-time assistant, and 2nd female assistant in the NFL.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 26, 2021

Our own @juliedonaldson_ spoke to @JenniferKing5 about her historic promotion and what she learned in the 2020 season. pic.twitter.com/cnOvuxILQH

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 26, 2021

HERstory made‼️

From the original trailblazer @BillieJeanKing to @JenniferKing5! pic.twitter.com/IkVbdF6uEm

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 26, 2021

About Joe Yasharoff

Joe Yasharoff is MCM's Director of Content and Operations. He is also an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Maryland. Previously, Joe was the Managing Editor at NBC Sports Washington and Executive Sports Producer at FOX5 (WTTG-TV). He hosts the MoCo's Most Famous podcast for MCM.

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