If there’s one thing we are all about here at Her Campus, it is female empowerment. Nothing makes us happier than being able to see women everywhere breaking barriers and making strides toward equality. That’s why it is so exciting to see that the NFL has hired its first full-time female assistant coach.
Kathryn Smith has been hired by the Buffalo Bills to be a special teams quality control coach. She is the first women to do so in NFL history, an impressive feat.
Now 30, Smith has had a background in sports since she was young. She kept stats as a young girl alongside her father during football games at the Christian Brothers Academy (shoutout to upstate NY!). She also played several sports herself, according to ESPN, including lacrosse, swimming, and bowling. She received a degree in Sports Management at St. John’s University in 2007.
While attending St. John’s, Smith began interning with the New York Jets. She has risen through the ranks throughout the years, with positions including college scouting intern, player personal assistant, administrative assistant (with the Jets and the Bills), and then finally special teams quality control coach for the Bills.
Although this is a great win and a step in the right direction for females in the world of sport’s management, it is a little hard to believe that it has taken until 2016 for this to happen. Rex Ryan also had to ask permission to be able to promote Smith to her position because of her status as a woman.
Still, this is something to celebrate, and Kathryn Smith has the congratulations and support of Her Campus at New Haven!