Joe Namath hopes Jets' female coach 'eventually becomes coach of the year'

Kristian Dyer

Joe Namath hopes Jets' female coach 'eventually becomes coach of the year' image

For Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, the recent integration of more women into NFL coaching roles is a step in the right direction. That women are finding ways to be involved in the game beyond front office roles is a positive thing for the sport, the legendary quarterback says.

Collette Smith, hired by the Jets for training camp to work with the defensive backs, is the latest example.

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"I’ve been for the opposite sex and equality in sports before Title IX came into play,” Namath explained to Sporting News last week. “My mother played some basketball. Why couldn't females be involved in sports?

"We didn't see that until the early ‘70s. I’d just love for everyone to have that opportunity. As far as females coaching in male sports, well, males coach females in some sports. That UConn coach, Geno Auriemma, up there, he's done a great job.”

Namath, though, does caution that the transition must be handled the right way in a sport that has long been dominated by men.

While he is open and encouraging of growing roles for women in the game, Namath is concerned that not everybody shares his open-minded views.
 
Namath thinks an NFL locker room might be slow to warm up to a female in a coaching role, as “it has always been difficult for players to accept the coach if they feel he hasn't played the game. We might have had some coaches who look like they’ve never played the game, but they’ve been great coaches."

Namath explained that his qualms are not gender-based. They instead have to do with the qualifications required to coach at the NFL level.

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“More power to her, I hope she eventually becomes coach of the year.” Namath said of Smith. “I really can’t put a lot of credence into anyone that’s not played the game at this point with teaching technique, hands-on, do it this way.

"Unless you can do it, unless you’ve done it in the past, it’s hard for a team to accept that. I’d have to be there, I’d have to see.”

Namath, still the only quarterback to lead the Jets to a Super Bowl victory, currently is busy with his grandchildren. He also has an upcoming gala event Oct. 10 at Cipriani’s in New York City to benefit the Joe Namath Neurological Research Center. The foundation works with people who have suffered brain injuries.

Kristian Dyer