ARIZONA — Sebastian River High School Class of 1996 graduate Jen Welter has landed a coaching position within the National Football League, coaching inside linebackers for the Arizona Cardinals.
Welter took to Twitter Monday evening acknowledging the move, tweeting, “I am honored to be a part of this amazing team. Special thanks to @BruceArians and the @AZCardinals.”
Arians is the head coach of the Cardinals.
Welter is believed to be the first woman to serve as a coach in the league.
She has a Master’s degree in sport psychology and a PhD in psychology. Along with the education, Welter has experience in the game itself, playing special teams and running back for the Texas Revolution, which is part of the Indoor Football League.
Welter is also the first woman to hold a non-kicking position for a men’s pro sports league.
For more than 14 seasons, she played in the Women’s Football Alliance as linebacker. She helped her team win four championships in that time. She also played rugby for Boston College and won two gold medals at the International Federation of Football Women’s World Championships for Team USA. Those medals were earned in 2009 and 2013.
