Buffalo Bills Make History, Hire Kathryn Smith As NFL's First Female, Full-Time Coach
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A New York state sports team made history on Wednesday.
As CBS2's Steve Overmyer reported, the NFL coaching fraternity has officially crossed gender lines.
The Buffalo Bills hired the NFL's first female, full-time coach. Kathryn Smith will be the Bills' special teams quality control coach.
Smith spent twelve seasons in the Jets organization before following Rex Ryan to Buffalo.
"She certainly deserves this promotion based on her knowledge and strong commitment," Ryan said in a statement.
CBS affiliate WIVB-TV, Buffalo reported Smith started her career as an intern with the Jets before spending time as a player personnel assistant, and assistant to the head coach.
The move comes as part of a new wave of gender progress in men's professional sports. Just months ago the Arizona Cardinals hired Jen Welter as a temp coach in the off-season. In the NBA the Spurs hired Becky Hammon as their assistant.
Smith's position is considered an apprenticeship to becoming a head coach. Smith is about to embark on the same path that has led numerous coaches to become head coaches.