In 2012, there were no female coaches in the NBA, MLB, NFL, and the National Hockey League. In 2016, a Women’s Sports Foundation report revealed that women led only 3% of men’s teams in college sports. Women have made significant progress in recent years when it comes to coaching in major leagues. Some notable female coaches include those in the NBA, MLB, and NFL.
1. Becky Hammon
After a 16-year career in the NBA, Becky Hammon became the first female assistant coach in the league in 2014. She joined the San Antonio Spurs and has worked for them for the last six seasons. According to ESPN, her promotion was not just about her gender, as Pop did not just hand her an opportunity.
2. Kim Ng
Kim Ng became the first woman in North America to hold the position of general manager of a major league team when the Miami Marlins hired her in 2020. Before becoming the director general of the group, she worked for the New York Yankees, LA Dodgers, and the Chicago White Sox.
3. Jennifer King
In 2021, Jennifer King became the NFL’s first African-American female assistant coach. Before becoming an assistant coach for the Washington Football team, she had been a coaching intern. She was promoted to the position at the start of the season.
4. Katie Sowers
In 2020, Katie Sowers became the first female coach to lead a team to a Super Bowl. She was also the first openly gay coach in the league. Sowers was the offensive assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers. She left the team after the season to look for another job.
5. Nancy Lieberman
Lieberman, a talented player in the Women’s National Basketball Association, was the first woman to lead a professional men’s team in 2009. She became the head coach of the NBA Developmental League’s Texas Legends. She then became the second woman to hold the assistant coach position in the history of the NBA.
6. Jennifer Welter
Jennifer Welter was working as a part-time coach for the Arizona Cardinals. Before becoming an assistant coach, she had been a professional football player. She also competed in the Women’s World Championship.