Kathryn Smith is a name that will now go down in history.  Yesterday, Smith was announced as the first full-time female assistant coach in NFL history. 

The Buffalo Bills and head coach Rex Ryan hired her as a special teams quality control coach.  Smith's hire comes on the heels of the Arizona Cardinals bringing Jen Welter aboard this past fall as a coaching intern working with the inside linebackers during training camp.

Buffalo also broke barriers back in 1986 when they hired Linda Bogdan, daughter of former owner Ralph Wilson, as the NFL's first female scout.  Several women work in the front offices of teams in the league, but a move to the coaching field is certainly groundbreaking.  

"Kathryn Smith has done an outstanding job in the seven years that she has worked with our staff," said Ryan in a statement. "She certainly deserves this promotion based on her knowledge and strong commitment, just to name a couple of her outstanding qualities, and I just know she's going to do a great job serving in the role of Quality Control-Special Teams.

Smith is no stranger to Ryan's staff.  Last season, she served as his executive assistant in Buffalo and worked for him with the New York Jets as well.

Overall, Smith spent 12 seasons with the Jets, originally starting out as a game-day and special events intern.  She joined the scouting department the following year and was named a player personnel assistant in 2007.  

To inquire about Kathryn Smith's speaking fee and appearance cost, contact the agents at Athlete Speakers by calling us at 800-916-6008 or by Starting Your Booking Request Now.

Friends and Family Discuss How Kathryn Smith Became the First Female NFL Coach: