The Chicago Bears are set to make history by hiring their first female coach in the organization’s 103-year existence.
Jennifer King, who previously served as an assistant running backs coach for the Washington Commanders, will be joining the Bears as an assistant coach in 2024.
The Bears are reportedly hiring Jennifer King as the team’s first female coach https://t.co/2oBfDf1vfL
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 21, 2024
This follows her groundbreaking appointment as the first Black female coach in NFL history when she joined the Commanders in 2021.
King will be working specifically with the Bears’ running backs, a position that showed great success in the 2023 season with 2,399 rushing yards.
Prior to her NFL coaching career, King had a background in college basketball and softball.
She started in the NFL as an intern with the Carolina Panthers in 2018 and also worked in the Alliance of American Football and for Dartmouth before joining the Washington Commanders.
The Bears’ coaching staff will also include Chris Beatty as the wide receivers coach, Chad Morton as the running backs coach, Thomas Brown as the offensive passing game coordinator, Jason Houghtaling as the assistant offensive line coach, and Robbie Picazo as an offensive assistant.
In addition to her football career, King has had a diverse background, including being a flight attendant, police officer, and a successful women’s college basketball coach.
She played quarterback and wide receiver for the Carolina Phoenix women’s tackle football team for 12 seasons.
Entering the 2023 season, there were nine women serving as full-time coaches in the NFL.
She has worked with notable players such as Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson during her time with the team.
Prior to her coaching career, King played for the Carolina Phoenix of the Women’s Football Alliance, where she achieved great success, including one championship and seven division titles.
King will be joining a revamped Bears offensive staff led by Shane Waldron and will be working alongside new running backs coach Chad Morton.
I want to give a huge s/o and thanks to the DMV area. You’ve showed me so much love and I appreciate it. Thank you to all of the great coaches, staff and players with the Commanders who have made these last 4yrs an absolute joy. #NewBeginnings #nfl pic.twitter.com/U74MfYHA5n
— Jennifer King (@JenniferKing5) February 21, 2024
Her previous coaching experiences also include positions with the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football.
The Bears had previously hired their first female scout in 2021, further highlighting the team’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
This is a significant moment for the team, which has also made efforts to increase diversity on its coaching staff, hiring five minority assistant coaches.
The team’s offensive coaching staff has been revamped recently, with Shane Waldron as the new Offensive Coordinator and other fresh faces joining as well.
Jennifer King's journey in the NFL as a coach will continue in Chicago. King will join the #Bears as an Offensive Assistant working with the running backs, per source.
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) February 20, 2024
This marks another barrier broken for the Bears, as King becomes the first black female assistant coach in the franchise’s history.
As for her resume, it’s got some interesting stops:
Washington Football Team (2020-23)
Assistant running backs coach (2021-23)
Coaching intern (2020)
Dartmouth – Offensive assistant (2019)
Carolina Panthers (2018, 2019)
Running backs coach intern (2019)
Wide receivers coach intern (2018)
In her time with Washington, she helped the team achieve success in the ground attack.
The Bears’ running game was one of the best in the league last year, and King will have the opportunity to work with talented running backs like Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson.
King’s experience and background in college basketball and softball, as well as her previous internships in the NFL, make her a valuable addition to the coaching staff.
Overall, this hiring demonstrates progress towards greater diversity and inclusivity in the NFL.
Fans had this to convey:
Bears gonna Bear. I’m sure she’s the most qualified candidate.
— Alan Cashman 🏈🏀(TheCashmanwins.com) (@TheCashManWins) February 21, 2024
"I hate this decision and this time, it's not because of their color."
– Bears board of directors member who accidentally says something honest— Kris (@alittlebitofhey) February 21, 2024
You know privately the players will be laughing at her trying to tell them something.
— Doctor of something (@RayPatchen) February 21, 2024
Women don’t belong in men’s sports.
— Mick Moyes (@MickMoyes) February 21, 2024
Best of luck. Say hi to Sweat for us
— SC (@Turtle8oy) February 21, 2024
Welcome to the great Midwest! you will love Chicago.
— MadHatterCommander 🎩🐷 (@MadHatter_LJ) February 21, 2024
As a life long skins fan, it was so awesome seeing you on the coaching staff. Thank you for changing the game. Best wishes!
— AO (@FI4450) February 21, 2024
Good luck in the future Jennifer, you did a great job with our 'backs. Enjoyed watching your interaction at Camp. All of the very best
— Phil Rickards 🇮🇱🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@philrickards) February 21, 2024
Absolute best of wishes moving forward Jennifer. Thank you for the hard work and dedication to the DMV!
— Jack ♌️🌊212 (@wiljac50) February 21, 2024
Sorry you weren’t retained by the commanders I hope you get another opportunity!!!
— Hogwild (@Hogwild_YT) February 21, 2024
Washington fans wish you the best.
So glad you landed a job with another NFL team and staying in the league.
— VEGASTUD3.0™ (@RealWayneCody1) February 21, 2024
Thank YOU so much for everything. Loved having you on the team. I hope you kill it in Chicago.
— Commander Ray #🟦 (@Boss_Hogg_81) February 21, 2024
only great things in the future for you…one of the best up & coming coaches in football.
— Nar Talley (@NarTalley) February 21, 2024
Good luck Jennifer. We will miss you around here and hope you find something to help you progress even further and continue to break new ground for women in the NFL.
— Joe P (@CommanJoe) February 21, 2024
Thanks for the years that you gave with Washington and congratulations and good luck on your new adventures with the bears 🐻
— Raymond Meekins (@MeekinsRaymond) February 21, 2024
We might not have got the goal but the journey was amazing. Thank you coach i wish you the best & know as a fan you always have a home God bless 🧿
— MARQUIESSE (@Marquiesse) February 21, 2024
Thank YOU, Coach King! We’ve loved having you and are glad that you got an opportunity in the Windy City! #HTTC #GoBears
— David OConnell (@packofboysdad) February 21, 2024
As a woman in sports I’m happy to see the ceilings you continue to break for women in athletics. Thank you and good luck. ✊🏽✊🏽
— Fatimah Shabazz (@CoachShabazz) February 21, 2024
