Arizona Cardinals Add First Female Coach Jen Welter To Staff

Photo Credit: ProPlayerInsider.com

The Arizona Cardinals have officially added Jen Welter to their coaching staff as an inside linebackers coach. However, she is an intern that has been added to the training camp staff. If she is hired for the season, it will mark the first time in NFL history that a woman has held a coaching job of any sort. Welter tweeted this about her chance with the Cardinals

I am honored to be a part of this amazing team. Special thanks to @BruceArians & the @AZCardinals https://t.co/FcDG1b7P4E

— Dr. Jen Welter (@jwelter47) July 28, 2015

Welter is no stranger to breaking down previously untouched barriers, as she became the first women to play a non-kicking position in a men’s professional football league when she was signed as a running back for the Texas Revolution. She never saw any success, but her feat was impressive nonetheless. The Revolution must have been impressed with her football IQ though, as they brought her on as an assistant coach in early 2015.

Now, Welter will look to bring her football IQ to the Arizona Cardinals as they look to make a playoff run this season. In the NBA, Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon has seen success. Hammon recently led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA Summer League title. If Welter is able to have some success in Arizona then it could perhaps open the door for more women to become coaches in professional sports leagues.

The Cardinals boast a very stout defense, but linebacker has been one of their weaker points. Welter will be working with a group that is talented, but will need guidance to become one cohesive unit. She has experience playing linebacker as well, which makes her perfect for the job.

One thing is for sure, this will be a big story this season if she is hired. She will be scrutinized in ways that no male linebacker coach would be. We can only hope that her gender isn’t used by the media to put unwarranted pressure on Welter.