You may know Lakatriona Brunson as Bernice on the hit show South Beach Tow. But what you may not know is that she is now the first woman to be named head coach of a football program at a Florida high school. Despite all of the lingerie football and semi pro football teams that exist for women, this is major because there aren’t many professional options when it comes to this male dominated sport.
For years women have complained about the lack of gender diversity in the major leagues . Among major leagues women’s basketball is the only league that has women serving as general managers or head coaches. Even though Brunson isn’t coaching in the major leagues, this position is a major key. And she isn’t just a tow enforcer. The graduate of Tennessee State University, where she played basketball and was a track star, also has a long history of playing and coaching other sports. She played for the Miami Fury football team, and prior to taking the lead role as head coach at Miami Jackson High she taught physical education and was the flag football coach.
At a press conference Brunson said, “A lot of people that probably applied for this position, and look who’s here,” Brunson said. “I’m ready for whatever comes my way. I’m ready to fight, ready to get these guys prepared and ready to win.”
Congrats to her. Maybe she can teach those boys a few things or two about heavy lifting. Hopefully, she can join the ranks of the one woman coaching in the NFL and bring more gender diversity to the major leagues.