justingoblue

July 27th, 2015 at 8:57 PM ^

Very cool, but her title sounds temporary at this point.

There were a lot of interviews with NHL types around the hype of the USWNT in Sochi saying the last two big barriers for women in American sports were scouting and coaching positions, and it looks like there's been some solid progress since, as the OP mentions.

justingoblue

July 27th, 2015 at 9:32 PM ^

It's not exactly the same thing, but Patrick Murphey has a softball national title despite never playing. The guy is an asshole, but Charlie Weis never played in college and got a shot at the big leagues.

Taking a look at the article, she played women's football professionally for 10+ years. I don't know enough about this particular woman, but I can't see any reason women in general can't coach at a P5/NFL level.

justingoblue

July 27th, 2015 at 9:49 PM ^

I didn't realize Leach hadn't played either, so there's a non-asshole example below.

At the end of the day I don't think Nick Saban is relying on his experience at Kent State, or Meyer is relying on football knowledge learned being a backup at Cincinnati or Belichick at DIII Wesleyan. Being a coach isn't the same thing as being a player, to state the obvious.

Gallagher

July 27th, 2015 at 9:05 PM ^

Looking at her Twitter profile... She has the background, but as a RB? Don't know if she's played LB at all. She's qualified, obviously, she's played the game and looks to know her stuff.




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DutchWolverine

July 27th, 2015 at 9:05 PM ^

This is way different than the Spurs. A female basketball coach could have equal or more playing and coaching experience than any guy because of opportunities for females in basketball. However this probably isn't the case for a female football coach. Don't take this as a negative toward equal rights, but it's hard to imagine that she has experience at the LB position that will enhance the play of an NFL player. It will be interesting to see her role and how this plays out.

Chiwolve

July 27th, 2015 at 9:21 PM ^

I'm just saying -- the three coaches you happened to pick-- all played some form of college football and/or coached in college before moving to the NFL -- knew about Payton the others I had to google

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Payton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Belichick

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_McCarthy_(American_football)

Space Coyote

July 28th, 2015 at 9:10 AM ^

His dad was essentially training him to be a coach froma  very, very young age; breaking down film, working on technique, all that stuff. It's one of the reasons the guy is so socially awkward: he spent his formidable years in a dark room breaking down the inconsistencies of the left DE his dad was going up against the next week.

Firstbase

July 27th, 2015 at 9:16 PM ^

...I'm old school and half senile, so I have a built-in excuse for my comments. I predict she will have a difficult time getting the guys to respect her. Qualifications aside, it sounds like Hollywood "made-for-TV-movie" fodder to me. 

 

teldar

July 27th, 2015 at 9:47 PM ^

She's also got a PhD in psychology. And I know there was a discussion about this, she goes as Dr Welter. (Oddly enough, I have an uncle who is an PhD in BioChem Engineering who also is Dr Welter.)

SalvatoreQuattro

July 27th, 2015 at 9:52 PM ^

to win back some female fans who were unhappy after the constant drumbeat of wife and spousal beatings by NFL players and the NFL's feeble response to it.



This woman probably knows her stuff. I doubt very much that the NFL would be so foolish to hire a noob. But I have a hard time seeing this happening if not for the beating the NFL has been taking. She is hardly the only woman who has extensive knowledge of the game. Why her and why now?



Either way, good luck to her. I hope she succeeds.