Why I Think It’s Ridiculous People Criticize The Buffalo Bills on Hiring Kathryn Smith

Kathryn Smith was officially the first ever full-time female coach named special teams quality control coach next season in the NFL. You would think being in 2016 people would roll with it, even be excited about breaking down barriers and minds that thought there would never be such a thing. She's worked in the NFL for nearly 14 years starting as an intern and then getting hired in the scouting department.

Not exactly the case. I heard yesterday on the radio one guy who called in saying he didn't think women should be involved in the police, firefighting and especially professional sports. Then there was the Cleveland Sports reporter who said this comment yesterday:

These two are not the only ones though.

Here's my thinking:

1. Basically Smith will be the assistant to the assistant of special teams coach. She'll be studying and analyzing other teams' formations, plays and players among other things. A lot of great coaches got their start in 'Quality Control'. Will she actually be coaching the players on the field? We'll see. This guy is acting like she was hired to be the head coach.
2. She has the experience; and if she's one of the top qualified people to take on the job, then she deserves it. We already know she's put in her time.
3. I understand what he's saying – it may be true that players may not want to listen to her – but the bigger problem is the players that won't be able to respect and learn from their coach.
4. He makes a comment about setting her up for failure? How does he know? He's never coached a football team. What happens if they go from being the 16th ranked special teams to top five?
5. Either way, you have to give the utmost respect for credit to Rex Ryan, Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula for evolving, doing something that nobody has ever done before and for giving someone that deserved an opportunity, just that.

Lastly, she's not the first female coach in the big four sports. For crying out loud, Nancy Lieberman and Becky Hammon both coach in the NBA and Jen Welter was hired by the Arizona Cardinals last year.