On May 26, 2017, the New York Jets announced the signing of Collette Smith as an intern to work with the defensive backs. This signing marks the first time the Jets have hired a female coach and Smith becomes the third female coach in NFL history. The first being Jen Welter, who the Cardinals hired as an intern during training camp and the second was Kathryn Smith, whom the Bills retained full-time as a quality control/special teams coach.
Smith is a former coach and player for the New York Sharks of Independent Women’s Football League and grew up a Jets fan, making this all the more exciting.