Female coach ‘surprised’ by sideline hire
KATHRYN SMITH’S new role as the NFL’s first full-time female assistant coach even took her by surprise. Rex Ryan’s Bills made Smith a special teams quality control coach on Wednesday.
“I was surprised at first, but I also know Rex really puts a lot of faith in his staff and his people, so from that standpoint it made sense knowing I’ve worked with Rex directly and indirectly for a number of years,” Smith told the Bills team website. “So he knows my work ethic and what I’ve done in the past, but it was a bit surprising that he came to me with this.”
Smith worked with Ryan last year with the Bills and in the previous season with the Jets, off the field both times. She was a player personnel assistant with the Jets from 2007-2014.
Rex Ryan, in a video on the Bills team website, confirmed that Smith would be on the field for practice and game days. She’ll work mostly with the scout teams, Ryan said, and also handle “computer stuff.”
Smith credited Jen Welter with getting the ball rolling for female coaches in football. Welter was a training camp intern with the Cardinals this past preseason.
“Jen Welter did it in the offseason with the Cardinals so I think that was a big step,” Smith said. “It’s been pretty extraordinary the reaction, and I realize that it’s groundbreaking. I might be the first, but I think very quickly there are going to be many other women in the league. So I may be the first, but I don’t think I’ll be the only one for very long.”
“There are so many other females in very important roles in football organizations, whether it’s in administration, athletic trainers, public relations, so many departments have women,” Smith added. “Kim Pegula, for example, is our owner. I’m an entry level coach. So yes I might be the first coach, but I’m not the only woman in the building or dealing with the coaches or players on a daily basis. So that’s how I’m looking at it.”