The Chicago Bears have officially announced their lineup of coaches for the 2024 season and it includes one milestone appointment.
Joining Head Coach Matt Eberflus’ coaching staff as an assistant running backs coach, former Carolina Phoenix quarterback and receiver Jennifer King is now officially the first female coach in Chicago Bears history.
“Jennifer King is an exceptional leader and passionate coach who will be a positive addition to the Chicago Bears,” said President & CEO Kevin Warren.
“As the first full-time Black female coach in the history of the National Football League, Jennifer has established herself as a hard worker, pioneer, and trailblazer.”
The Bears yesterday posted an announcement to Instagram and other social media platforms with the caption “History made. Welcome, Coach King!”
Born and raised in North Carolina, King graduated from Guildford College in Greensboro, N.C. in 2006 with a degree in sports management.
Having played college basketball and softball, also coaching the former, she began playing in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) as a quarterback and receiver for the Carolina Phoenix from 2006 until 2017.
The former two-sport college athlete then played as a defensive back and receiver for the New York Sharks in 2018 and as a safety for the D.C. Divas in 2019.
Returning to her home state King spent a season as a wide receivers coach intern for the Carolina Panthers and then a short stint for the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football before the AAF folded and she returned to the Panthers as running backs coach.
After spending the 2019 season as an offensive season it was for the Washington Commanders she first entered the history books. Having joined as a coaching intern in 2020 she was promoted to assistant running backs coach for the Washington Commanders in 2021 thus becoming the first black woman to become a full-time coach in the 103-year history of the National Football League.
Now, after serving as a running backs coach in Washington for three seasons she joins Matt Eberflus’ coaching staff for the upcoming NFL season to begin a new chapter with the Chicago Bears.
“Chicago is a great city, and the Bears organization is historic. I started paying attention to the Bears playing video games like Tecmo Bowl back in the day because Walter Payton was unstoppable in the game” said 39-year-old King.
“I used to always play with them on there. Then obviously working for coach Rivera, he’s been so important in my life and him being a part of those historic defenses with the Bears as well. It’s definitely an exciting time. Hopefully, we can hit the ground running and get ready for 2024.”
“We are extremely excited to welcome Jennifer King to the Chicago Bears family. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our football team said Chicago Bears Head Coach Matt Eberflus.
“She has a contagious spirit and coaches the game with immense passion. We are looking forward to working with her and seeing the positive impact that she will have on the Chicago Bears.”
Read the Chicago Bears official news release.[Featured image from Chicago Bears]