A milestone appointment
North Carolina Central University announced that Jennifer King will guide the school’s first women’s flag football squad for the 2026–27 season. The hiring not only introduces a brand‑new sport to the campus but also places a historic figure at the helm of a program that aims to compete in the Mid‑Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) alongside five other institutions.
King arrives with a résumé that reads like a masterclass in barrier‑breaking. She became the first Black woman to hold a full‑time coaching position in the NFL, first as a running backs coach for the Washington Commanders and later as an offensive assistant and running backs coach for the Chicago Bears. In her current role as an offensive analyst for the Philadelphia Eagles, she focuses on wide receivers and game management, bringing a modern, pass‑heavy perspective to the field.
A coach with a championship pedigree
Before her NFL tenure, King honed her leadership skills at Dartmouth College and the East‑West Shrine Bowl, where she served as a running backs coach in 2022. Earlier in her career she led the women’s basketball program at Johnson & Wales University to a USCAA Division II national championship in her second season, earning Coach of the Year honors. A former professional player in the Women’s Football Alliance and the Women’s National Football Conference, she excelled at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back before turning to coaching.
Leadership from the front
Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins, NCCU’s Director of Athletics, praised the appointment, describing King as a "caliber" coach who will steer student‑athletes through a transformative athletic chapter. Perkins highlighted the program’s potential to enrich the university’s sports portfolio while reinforcing NCCU’s commitment to innovative competition.
The flag football initiative places NCCU among six schools fielding teams in the MEAC’s inaugural season. The conference views the sport as a catalyst for growth, offering student‑athletes a chance to showcase talent in a rapidly expanding arena. King’s charge is to build a competitive roster, develop game strategies and embed a culture of excellence that aligns with the university’s broader academic and athletic mission.
Beyond the wins and losses, the program reflects a larger narrative about inclusion in sports. By appointing a coach whose career has repeatedly shattered ceilings, NCCU signals a willingness to invest in diverse leadership and to provide pathways for athletes who might otherwise see limited opportunities. The inaugural season is poised to be a benchmark for how universities can innovate while honoring the legacy of pioneering figures.