King first cracked an NFL coaching staff as an intern under Rivera in 2017 when he was the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. She first joined the Women's Football Alliance in 2006 and became a seven-time All-American in 11 seasons with the team. Her resume also includes head coach of the Johnson and Wales University womens basketball team as well as two championship titles of the semi-professional Womens Football Alliance that she won as a quarterback, wide receiver and safety for the Carolina Phoenix. here for reprint permission. She could hear the crunching of pads as players collided, the harmony of the coaches whistles as the team ran through drills, the screams of the coaches as they doled out instructions to players. To have that opportunity, it opens the door for whatever is possible for young girls and for women. 2:45 pm ET, the Redskins announced that they were hiring an assistant that would make history, 2023 NFL Draft grades for every team: Colts among 'A's, Bills sign Broncos' leading rusher from 2022, 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Williams No. When he decided to apply for the Greensboro College job and got it, we tried to get up with Jennifer. Her last job outside of football allowed her to rendezvous with her first love. It also shows everybody deserves an opportunity. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Ill add, with Jennifer, what you see is what you get. Rhiannon Walker covers Culture for The Athletic. I thought it was a great example and a great role model for her. Redskins Q&A: An Inside Look At Jennifer King's College Basketball Career. During her time in the AAF, King helped coach former Redskins receiver Rashad Ross, who is now playing for the DC Defenders of the XFL. King has worked as an offensive assistant with Dartmouth College, and worked primarily with the wide receivers. The Washington Redskins are working to finalize a deal with Jennifer King, to make her the NFL's first full-time, female, African-American assistant coach. Instead of learning 15 different moves, learn one that you feel comfortable with and then learn to counter, and then we'll teach you how to set your person up so that you can make that one move. In late August, Teevens called. But the idea of being a football coach was something she let go of early in her life, because at the time, there wasnt a pathway for women to maneuver into coaching. Washington Redskins. Will work with running backs. That's the same thing with Jennifer, but she got out as soon as she got out of college. Rivera has hired King to work with Redskins RB coach Randy Jordan and the 2020 RB corps. ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins are working to make Jennifer King the first African American female full-time assistant coach in the NFL after meeting with her late last month, multiple . And thats the reason shes in it. Obviously, I have a background in recruiting, so its very similar to evaluating, and then going to meet them and seeing what type of people they are. At Dartmouth, King was exposed to everything. The Washington Redskins are entering a period of transition this offseason. They're just saying, "Go play." The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. Due to her athleticism and skill, King was known as "Jet" by the teammates. The Washington Redskins officially announced the hiring of Jennifer King as a full-time coaching intern Monday to become the first female coach in the franchises history and the first black female to serve in the role in league history. The Redskins are reportedly set to make history by making Jennifer King the first full-time African-American female assistant coach in NFL history. "Ultimately, I'd like to be an offensive coordinator at the college or NFL level," King told ESPN in 2018. The Redskins hired Rivera in January. We're in a production-based business. Jennifer King will work with the offensive staff with a focus on the running backs, the team announced Monday. Here are five things to know about one of the team's newest receivers. What was she like as a basketball player? Id find it later or see it when theres an announcement made. I was an assistant for nine years, and was perfectly happy with it. Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, - It was kind of a wild move, King said. 1. Because of her grasp of the terminology and what the coaches were expecting, combined with having a nice way of explaining it, she could easily get players to see what they should be looking for. In 2021, King assisted the running backs and Antonio Gibson rush for over 1,000 yards, the first time a Washington running back has accomplished the feat since Adrian Peterson did so in 2018. Teevens reached out to Brownson and few other contacts before going to King, wondering if shed be interested in joining his staff. Below are five things Redskins fans should know about the newest addition to the coaching staff. I highly respect her, and like I said, if things werent going right, I can come to her, or shell come to me and just tell me to relax or chill out.. She also became the first woman to serve as a positional coach in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Tuggle: That's how she became a good player. She worked primarily with the wide receivers and wide receivers coach Dave Shula, aiding in organizational aspects, substitutions and personnel. According to the source, on average, an NFL offensive assistant will be in the $0.4 million range in terms of salary. And you won't find anybody more passionate than her. To me, it was a big deal, but it wasnt that big of a big deal to go as crazy as it did. Jennifer King makes history by joining Redskins. That piqued Laceys interest, and when she found out Kings team was playing in Charlotte that weekend, Lacey decided to see her play. She first joined the Women's Football Alliance in 2006 and . But a major hurdle remained she was six games into her third season with the Wildcats and was torn about leaving the players in season. Part of that ability to remain calm in tough situations was derived from Kings two years working as a police officer in the domestic violence division in High Point, N.C., where staying vigilant and being calm can help in high-stress environments. A little 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-year-old girl, whos just sitting with dad watching games on Sunday wants to be, and shes doing it. "When things weren't going right, she was good at keeping my head in the game and understanding it.". "I was a quarterback because I had a high football IQ, and I could throw and was athletic, but I didn't really want to be there," King told ESPN's David Newton in 2018. In her final season with the team, the Pride went 10-5 in the USA South before falling in the first round of the conference tournament. Here are five things to know about one of the team's newest defensive ends. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? "Part of it, it's all about the fan base," Rivera told ESPN at the time. Multiple sources said she met with members of the organization before the Super Bowl. Under her leadership as the team's quarterback, the Phoenix went undefeated in 2013 and finished the year by winning the IWFL Championship. Full list of Mr. Irrelevants in NFL draft history: Is Brock Purdy already the best final pick? Jennifer King makes history by joining Redskins. Ross said he felt King could relate to the players because of her own playing days and her coaching ability. King's goal is to be an offensive coordinator in college or the NFL. For the longest time, King had an unrequited love with football. Everything you need to know for Chiefs-Eagles: Predictions, in-depth preview and nuggets. King also has experience as a player. 1. Football is thought of as one of the world's toughest sports, and nowhere is that more true than in the NFL. Ross said he felt King could relate to the players because of her own playing days and her coaching ability. Copyright 2023 The Washington Times, LLC. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. 4. Well, she couldn't do that. "Ultimately, I'd like to be an offensive coordinator at the college or NFL level," King told ESPN in 2018. That was her one goal introduce herself to Rivera and tell him about her interest in coaching. Shes great. We played Guilford a couple of times, so she was used to or knew some of the kids and played against some of them. She was a championship basketball coach. I saw the team compete and pursue excellence. It doesn't matter who you are -- if you bring something special to the table and help us, we most certainly want you.". And that's her. Jennifer King will work with the offensive staff with a focus on the running backs, the team announced Monday. She also played for the New York Sharks in the Women's Football Alliance and served as an assistant receivers coach for the Arizona Hotshots in the Alliance of American Football. Jay Gruden is gone, Ron Rivera is here and he has started to put together his staff. As then-Panthers coach Ron Rivera and his staff devised plays to help his players, King devised a plan to break into the NFL coaching fraternity. Jennifer King will work with the offensive staff with a focus on the running backs, the team announced Monday. Q: I read an ESPN article where she said she felt she had to coach basketball because she felt like women couldn't coach football. "When things weren't going right, she was good at keeping my head in the game and understanding it.". He reached out to King again with a proposal. Once kids love you and know that you care for them, theyll play so hard for you. Redskins Q&A: An Inside Look At Jennifer King's College Basketball Career. As a coach, she's worked at the collegiate and professional levels, including two internships with head coach Ron Rivera when he was with the Carolina Panthers. Click The 2024 presidential race begins: Will it be a repeat of 2020? Redskins coach Ron Rivera hired King as a wide receivers coaching intern for the Carolina Panthersthe past two summers. King strayed to other jobs, such as being a personal trainer, police officer and basketball coach. Real good with people. But most importantly, she told Rivera then, I want a chance to coach in the NFL, and she asked him if there was a way she could work with the Panthers. My phone was blowing up; everything was blowing up. It's all about winning, and we've got to create that opportunity to win. Sunday's game between the Washington Football Team and the Cleveland Browns marked the first time in league history that three women were on an NFL field in an official capacity. The Washington Redskins have hired Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern, . Few people work in the NFL considering how big coaching is. She wants to be a role model for young girls with NFL aspirations. Rivera and King had a preexisting relationship. She wasn't faster than that person. King didnt say it, but Buddy Teevens could tell. . The Redskins recently hired Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern, making her the first African-American female in NFL history to hold the position, and she brings plenty of experience as a player and coach. "Her familiarity with my expectations as a coach and my firsthand knowledge of her work ethic and preparation were big factors in bringing her to the Redskins.". She wanted to be a part of that. Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. She was capable with computers, breakdowns and evaluations. Current team Washington Redskins ; Ethnicity Afro-American ; . Those are fundamentals and teaching that helped her become a very good basketball player, and I think that will help [the Redskins] out. In her role, King will work with the offensive staff throughout the course of the offseason, training camp and regular season and will specifically assist Randy Jordan with the running backs. Collette Smith became the NFL's first African American female coach in 2017 when she was an intern with the New York Jets, assisting defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson for the summer. Shes somebody when youre down or things not going right shes somebody you can come to and talk to, said wide receiver Rashad Ross, who played for the D.C. Defenders in the XFL during its abbreviated inaugural season, and who played for King with the Hotshots. It helps you out to be a more well-rounded coach. Could you tell that, while she did love basketball, her true passion was elsewhere on the football field? As she was driving on Interstate 95, right around Fredericksburg, Va., the notifications on her phone kept interrupting her music. During her time in the AAF, King helped coach former Redskins receiver Rashad Ross, who is now playing for the DC Defenders of the XFL. We're in a production-based business. She played in the semi-professional tackle league, the Womens Football Association, with the Carolina Phoenix and the New York Sharks. Fundamentals are fundamentals, whether it's basketball, baseball, football, whatever. Thanks to her internships with Carolina in 2018 and 2019, she already knew most of the men on staff, many of whom had following Rivera north. Things happen in these days where nobody's teaching anything. She has been on multiple championship teams as a player and coach, including four from her days playing women's professional tackle football. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Copyright 2023 Washington Commanders. "It helps us in a lot of ways. Howell was named a Manning Award finalist and has shown he can be a dual threat. During her time in the AAF, King helped coach former Redskins receiver Rashad Ross, who is now playing for the DC Defenders of the XFL. As a coach, King has been able to use her experience as an athlete to connect with players. This is something that has to be developed. During King's time with the Carolina Pheonix, 2006- 2017, they won an IWFL Championship, the Founders Bowl and Founders Bowl Tournament Championship. Tuggle: Oh, she was a very good basketball player. It's all about winning, and we've got to create that opportunity to win. If she wasnt doing those two things, she was going to games. King first met Rivera in 2016 at an NFL Women's Careers in Football Forum. "It's different learning by the book and actually playing and actually going through it -- understanding how players feel when they're hurting and not hurting, when they're frustrated. She even has her own AAF trading card, which can be found for sale HERE. "She's been through what we've been through," he said. Rivera didnt have to give her a chance, but he did, and he also gave her every possible tool to succeed whether it was advice, connecting her with the right people or providing his insight. She didn't make the move because she necessarily wanted to, though; rather, she didn't believe she had any other choice. She doesn't like all the attention that comes with job, so she prefers to play wide receiver, which she said is her natural position. I was surprised when the opportunity came for her to go coach professional football, but I strongly believe, you have to follow your heart.. According to their official website, the Redskins are hiring Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern. "I coach basketball because I thought I had to, because there wasn't another option," King told ESPN. It was kind of surprising getting coached by a female, but she understands the game. Facebook; Twitter; Facebook Messenger; Pinterest; Email; print; ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have hired Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern, making her the first African . All rights reserved. Football has been King's main passion for her entire life. Especially in coaching, you just never know, King said. To be quite frank, I do think its important that women see women lead, Lacey said. The Washington Redskins announced Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern on Monday, Redskins Hire Jennifer King As A Full-Year Coaching Intern, Five Things To Know About Redskins Defensive Backs Coach Chris Harris, Five Things To Know About Redskins Linebackers Coach Steve Russ, a small group of females working in the NFL. But while she was pursuing a career in football, she was also coaching women's college basketball, including 10 years as an assistant coach at Greensboro College in Carolina. It was unfathomable wildest dreams or otherwise. ', "For the little girls, that's just what I want for them: To let them know, if this is what they want to do, they can do it.". Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? A kid from Reidsville, N.C., making a pit stop at a restaurant and watching her name scroll across the Bottom Line? King used the same skills she developed on the football field to excel on the basketball court, and she is known for being an exceptional teacher. The first people she spoke to were her parents, whom she called after speaking with Rivera and the staff. 7th grade girls from Loudoun, Fairfax and DC Public Schools listened to Jennifer King and other panelists discuss themes of self-love as well as handling anxiety and handling stressful situations. The Washington Redskins reportedly hope to hire Jennifer King and make her the NFL's first Black female full-time assistant coach. Copyright 2023 Washington Commanders. "Jennifer is a bright young coach and will be a great addition to our staff," said Rivera. My parents used to laugh at me Id win awards in basketball, in college, in high school, and Id throw them in the back of my car or my trunk and I wouldnt even think about it. A lot of people want to put, Well, women shes a football coach and has the skill set that will make programs better.. From 2007-16, King and the Phoenix compiled a 75-17 record and nine winning seasons. Reyes, who has never played in a football game before, will begin his career with the Washington Football Team. "[King's] knowledge of the game was impressive," Ross told ESPN last year. Everything kind of went crazy, King said. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer King) ASHBURN, Va. -- The Washington Redskins have hired Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern, making her the first African American female full-year intern in the NFL. The running back position is still relatively new to me, so its been a lot of studying and learning on that position, King said. She had to learn. ESPN's David Newton contributed to this report. Q: How did the situation play out when she became one of your assistant coaches? But Ive always been that way.. In this new role, King will work with the offensive staff throughout the course of the offseason, training camp and regular season, and specifically assist coach Randy Jordan with the running backs. Redskins make it official with Jennifer King as coaching intern. The Athletic reported that newly-hired Washington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera . WASHINGTON (WJLA) - In February, the Washington Redskins announced that they have officially named Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern. (Photo courtesy of Jennifer King), Jennifer King transitioned from a basketball coach to an assistant with the AAFs Arizona Hotshots. Not the way football did. By then, Rivera was Washingtons new head coach. That's why Redskins.com spoke with Greensboro College head coach Randy Tuggle for an inside look at King's career in college basketball. She believed in leadership, a commitment to young people and a caring spirit, and during that conversation, King told Lacey she was playing in a womens football league as a quarterback. I thought it was really cool, and I definitely appreciated hearing from her.. Just the understanding of the game and what I try to do is find people thatll help better our program. While King will hold the title of offensive assistant, doing the work of a full-time coach and receiving equal pay, shell technically be a full-year coaching intern. Q: What about her relationships with her players? Football has been King's primary focus for most of her career, but she has occasionally crossed over as a head and assistant basketball coach. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com. Washington plans for King to work through the regular season. "It's different learning by the book and actually playing and actually going through it -- understanding how players feel when they're hurting and not hurting, when they're frustrated. I was asked about her being the first African American female coach in NFL history. You know youve had some success and built some relationships, but you just never know if youll ever get back to the NFL. 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', Top picks Christian Gonzalez, Keion White reflect Patriots' ideal identity, Big takeaways from the NFL draft: A historic QB class, the rebuilt AFC South and new GMs thriving, NFL Nation sizes up all 259 draft selections, XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. The Washington Redskins have named Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern with the team.. King will be joining head coach Ron Rivera's offensive staff and will work with them throughout . If she joins the Redskins, Jennifer King will be the league's first full-time African American female assistant coach. Under her previous roles as an intern, King had only stayed with the team through training camp and the preseason. "It's different learning by the book and actually playing and actually going through it -- understanding how players feel when they're hurting and not hurting, when they're frustrated. Teevens hired King as a quality control coach in 2019 and she exceeded the things hed heard about her from Rapoport, former Falcons general manager Scott Pioli and Brownson, the Browns executive who was a Dartmouth quality control coach. Watching her sling a ball around and catch, it was impressive. Full list of Mr. Irrelevants in NFL draft history: Is Brock Purdy already the best final pick? One of the things that I'm sure she teaches in football is how to do some fundamental stuff and how to make a nice cut on your passes. ESPN reported that King met with multiple members of the organization prior to Super Bowl LIV. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. "Her familiarity with my expectations as a coach and my firsthand knowledge of her work ethic and preparation were big factors in bringing her to the Redskins.". Click By the time the league shuttered in April, Arizona was tied atop the West Division at 5-3. When she was with me, she played football during the summer. "It's a double standard when it comes to sports with females and men.". Ive enjoyed evaluating the college guys and then finally meeting them at the combine. Washington Redskins officially named Jennifer King as a full-year coaching intern. The Hotshots' receivers nearly almost as productive; 12 players caught 138 passes for 1,712 yards and 14 touchdowns. 32 lingering post-draft questions: Will Lions have regrets? It also shows everybody deserves an opportunity. COLLEGE PARK, Md., May 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland has named Jennifer King Rice Ph.D., as Senior Vice President and Provost, effective August 11 . She also was an offensive assistant with Dartmouth College this past fall. Robinson's rushing earned him spots in the Alabama record books. "[King's] knowledge of the game was impressive," Ross told ESPN last year. In Greensboro, the Pride went 136-54 and won five conference title and appeared in the NCAA Tournament as many times. I said, "Well that's good, but I don't think she's doing it because she wants to be the first African American female in it." Below is our conversation: Question: Before becoming coworkers, you served as King's AAU coach and coached against her in college. There's a lot of forward thinkers in this room. They were tough. Its been cool seeing this process. Jennifer King used to park her car at the JWU Wildcats Center to hear the melody of the job she dreamed of holding every day. Rivera told ESPN in 2018 that he could envision a day when a woman becomes a coordinator or even a head coach. You got guys that run the 40 in 4.3 [seconds], so yeah, maybe they can outrun anybody no matter what. Disclamer: the amount of Washington Redskins's Youtube salary income and Washington Redskins's Youtube net worth are just . Did Pats make Mac Jones happy? Here are five things to know about one of the newest additions to the defensive line. Now that's going to be a perk for her, but she doing it because she's very passionate about wanting to be a football coach. Redskins Hire Jennifer King As A Full-Year Coaching Intern, 10 Feb. 2020 . Fans have questions, and we have answers with less than a week until the NFL Scouting Combine begins. 2 in yards per game and were 5-3 before the league dissolved. 1, Panthers' Bryce Young is all 'business now', Top picks Christian Gonzalez, Keion White reflect Patriots' ideal identity, Big takeaways from the NFL draft: A historic QB class, the rebuilt AFC South and new GMs thriving, NFL Nation sizes up all 259 draft selections, XFL semifinals: Defenders roll Sea Dragons, set up title showdown with Renegades. 1; top 2 picks Cards', NFL fifth-year option tracker: Decisions on 2020 class, Best remaining NFL free agents at each position, Latest NFL OROY, DROY odds: Bijan Robinson favored, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, 2024 mock: Williams No. Originally, with the Panthers, and similarly with the Redskins, thats where the need was. The Washington Football Team used its final pick (258th overall) to select BYU wide receiver Dax Milne. Due to Covid-19 protocols, King became the first African American woman in NFL history to serve as a primary position coach in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles. She walked up to him, made eye contact, shook his hand and got to the point. As a full-year coaching intern in 2020, King worked with the offensive staff throughout the course of the offseason, training camp and regular season and specifically assisted Randy Jordan with the running backs.