{"id":54674,"date":"2025-08-02T09:53:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T09:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/54674\/"},"modified":"2025-08-02T09:53:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T09:53:08","slug":"trailblazing-nfl-coach-joins-hbcu-football-staff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/54674\/","title":{"rendered":"Trailblazing NFL Coach Joins HBCU Football Staff"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jennifer King, a pioneer in professional football coaching, is making history once again. The former NFL assistant coach is joining the HBCU football program at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) as an offensive analyst. Chris Lea, sports anchor and reporter for WRAL News, first reported the news<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Former Washington Commanders & Chicago Nears assistant coach Jennifer King is now an offensive analyst with the NCCU Eagles and is excited to bring her knowledge to the MEAC. I\u2019ll have the story tonight on @wral<\/a> at 10 & 11:00! pic.twitter.com\/68xh8TeeHQ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Chris Lea \u2013 Sportscaster (@ChrisLeaTV) August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

NFL Firsts to HBCU Impact<\/p>\n

King is no stranger to breaking barriers. In 2021, she became the\u00a0first Black woman to hold a full-time coaching position<\/a> in the NFL\u00a0when Washington promoted her to assistant running backs coach. In 2024, she made history again as the first female coach in the Chicago Bears\u2019 104-year history.<\/p>\n

\u201cJennifer King is an exceptional leader and passionate coach who will be a positive addition to the Chicago Bears,\u201d said Bears President & CEO Kevin Warren at the time of her hiring. \u201cShe has established herself as a hard worker, pioneer, and trailblazer.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Career Built on Experience<\/p>\n

King\u2019s coaching journey began after a successful athletic career. She grew up in Reidsville, North Carolina, and attended Guilford College, where she excelled in basketball and softball. After graduating in 2006 with a degree in sports management, she spent over a decade playing in the Women\u2019s Football Alliance. Her roles ranged from quarterback and receiver with the Carolina Phoenix to defensive back with the New York Sharks and safety for the D.C. Divas.<\/p>\n

In 2018, King attended the NFL Women\u2019s Forum, where she met then-Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera. That meeting opened the door to her first NFL internship, working with wide receivers and running backs. She followed Rivera to Washington in 2020, eventually becoming a full-time assistant coach.<\/p>\n

\"HBCUImage Courtesy of the Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n

Now, King brings her experience from three NFL franchises\u2014the Panthers, Commanders, and Bears\u2014to NCCU. As an offensive analyst, she is expected to help develop game plans, mentor players, and elevate the Eagles\u2019 offensive unit.<\/p>\n

As King settles into Durham, she told Chris Lea (WRALSportsFan.com): \u201cI\u2019ve coached some of the game so to be able to bring that knowledge back (to NC Central) I think it\u2019s huge. It\u2019s been a great group to work with here. I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her focus is clear. \u201cThat\u2019s the main thing, to expose (the players) to things that can make them better,\u201d King told Lea. \u201c(I want to) teach them the things some of the greats do to be better, and they can put it into their game as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

NCCU head coach Trei Oliver said he tried to hire King back in 2020 before she chose the NFL. \u201cI had an opportunity to bring her back,\u201d Oliver told Lea. \u201cHopefully, we can keep her around for a while!\u201d<\/p>\n

The players already feel the difference. \u201cShe\u2019s been around a lot of ball,\u201d said starting quarterback Walker Harris. \u201cSo hearing her talk the receiver through different looks, different things, different coverages, it\u2019s been great. She\u2019s been a great resource for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lea also reported a family twist: King\u2019s parents are season ticket holders at North Carolina A&T\u2014a detail that\u2019s sure to add to an already intense HBCU rivalry.<\/p>\n

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