DURHAM, N.C. - Jennifer King has been appointed head coach of the North Carolina Central University women's flag football program, which begins its inaugural season during the 2026–27 academic year.

King, currently on the Eagles' football staff, has a rich coaching history. She is the first Black woman to coach full-time in the NFL — first as an assistant running backs coach with the Washington Commanders in 2021 and later as an offensive assistant and running backs coach with the Chicago Bears.

King joined the Eagles last season where she currently works as an offensive analyst, working with the wide receivers and supporting game management. Now, she will also be in charge of leading the Eagles' flag football team in its first season of competition.

NCCU is one of six teams that will compete in the MEAC.

"What better way to begin our flag football program than with Jennifer King as head coach," said Dr. Louis "Skip" Perkins, NCCU Director of Athletics. "We are excited to have someone of Jennifer's caliber guide our student-athletes as we begin this new chapter in NCCU Athletics."

King gained extensive coaching experience in the NFL and at the collegiate level. In 2019, she was an offensive assistant at Dartmouth, where she received one of three grants from the Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches & Scouts.

King also coached in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, serving on the West staff as running backs coach.

Before becoming a football trailblazer, King was a winning basketball coach. She took over the women's program at Johnson & Wales University (N.C.), which had been in existence for two years before she arrived, and led the team to the USCAA Division II national championship in her second season. King was named the USCAA Women's Division II Coach of the Year for her efforts.

Prior to coaching at Johnson & Wales, King spent 10 years as an assistant coach at Greensboro College. During that time, Greensboro won five regular-season conference titles, two conference tournament crowns, and qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament four times. 

King has also played football professionally. She suited up for three teams in the Women's Football Alliance and one in the Women's National Football Conference. She played several positions, including quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back after graduating from Guilford College.

A Reidsville, N.C., native, King played basketball and softball at Guilford College where she was inducted into the Quaker's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in sports management in 2006 and earned a master's degree in sports management from Liberty University in 2016.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.