The Arizona Cardinals Hire The First Female Coach In NFL History

July 28, 2015

The Arizona Cardinals have hired the first female coach in National Football League history. And playing football with the boys is something she's more than comfortable with...

first female NFL coach
Credit: AP

Jen Welter played 14 seasons in women's pro football and was the first woman to play a non-kicking position in a men's pro league - as a running back for the Texas Revolution of Indoor Football League.

"I want little girls everywhere to grow up knowing they can do anything, even play football," the 37 year-old said standing 5'2" and weighing 130 pounds.

first female NFL coach
Credit: Vernon Bryant/AP

With the Arizona Cardinals, Welter will work with inside linebackers as a training camp-preseason intern coach. But this will not be her first job coaching men - she was linebackers and special teams coach for the Texas Revolution.

first female NFL coach
Credit: Vernon Bryant/AP

In addition to her strength on the field, Welter's resume includes a master's degree in sports psychology and a Ph.D. in psychology.

first female NFL coach
Credit: Vernon Bryant/AP

This hire may not be a complete surprise for Arizona football fans. In April, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the league would hire female coaches if they "can prove they can make a player better."

Monday night, Arians confirmed he meant it.

"Coaching is nothing more than teaching," Arians said. "One thing I have learned from players is, 'How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don't care if you're the Green Hornet, man, I'll listen.' I really believe she'll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her."