Female Teacher Named H.S. Football Coach

(CBS)  Natalie Robinson, a biology and environmental sciences teacher at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School in Washington D.C., isn't just "teach" anymore. She's "coach."

The 29-year-old was introduced Friday as the new head coach of the school's football team.

Robinson said, "Head Coach is a big, a big job for anybody. ... That's pretty cool. But I really want to make sure that I give the best that I can for the kids."

Robinson was a wide receiver for five years for the pro women's football team, the D.C. Divas. She also played on special teams.

Her former teammates say she's got the right stuff.

Jordyn White, former teammate, told CBS News, "When you meet her, you may think that's she's you know, meek and mild, but she's tough as nails."

Her new players agree.

Oljwafemi Baniro said, :I mean she's probably better than most of us players."

As for Robinson, she says she just wants to make the school's football program great.

She said on "The Early Show" Tuesday a colleague suggested she apply for the position.

Robinson said, "I was like, 'Well, maybe this is something that I could do.' And that's how it can about."

"Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith pointed out that Robinson, as a teacher, will also be especially mindful of the academics her players.
"Definitely," she responded. "My kids know that they need to do what they need to do in the classroom, otherwise there is no athletics. I preach that to my regular students and the football players."

Robinson said she's received a very supportive reception from the high school, saying she's received many cards and congratulations.

"It's been great," she said.

However, it's not going to be easy. Smith asked, "Do (your players) know that you are just so going to crack the whip? I mean, just going to be so tough on them?"

"The ones that have me as a teacher know that," she said.

Robinson's fiancé is a football coach in another D.C. school. She said he's been supportive of her new position, despite her being one of his competitors now.

"It's all in good competition between the two of us and between the two schools," she said. "So it's been pretty good."

As for living up to the expectations of others, Robinson said she's just "trying to stay focused on the job at hand."

"There's tons to do as a teacher and as a coach, so I'm trying to put my blinders on," she said. "... It hasn't been too much of a problem other than being gone and having to make appearances and things like that. But it's been great."

Robinson's first big test comes on Aug. 27, the team's first game.

[easprangle]

You go girl!! I have coached 6th grade football for the last 5 years (we are undefeated every year) this is my first year at the 8th grade level.It is very hard at first to be a women coach, but once you take the extra steps to prove you know what your are doing which took a year or so I do now get the respect I should from other coaches in our school, but other schools still do not like it. It didn't take the boys long at all that was the easy part. Good Luck and I wish you well!!! Have fun!!!!


Alicia

[dwilson59]

This could be good and also bad. If the kids respect her then it should work out well. She will need to get some good coaches with experience. Most High Schools coaches do not have the experience nor teach the correct basics to advanced a kid to make the transition to the college level. Having 5 years of playing it comes down to how good her coaches are know and what they teach her.

You will know after 1 year if she can coach or not.

[run2jazz2]

Long overdue! Now what about college and possibly pro football?

[badlarry03hotmailcom]

it's natalie RANDOLPH!!!!

[porcine_aviator]

HOTTT-TAYYY!!! RRRR!!! RRRR!!!! OWWWW!!!!

My gawd if my coach had been that hot I wouldn't have ever been able to concentrate on a doggoned thing on the field....

[CyrusBorg]

Gee folks??? It's Natalie RANDOLPH.

And by the way....For any who have doubts, Natalie Randolph is the real deal. Period.

She's intelligent, mullti-dimensional, and talented. I know because she's a good friend.

I was probably as surprised as anyone many years ago when she said she was playing pro level football, but she quickly swayed me with her tenacity and knowledge of the game. I've coached and scouted in the past, and she knows as much if not more than I do. How many women do you know who can tell you how to run a slant against 'man under' coverage when the free safety is 'cheating?'

Sheesh!

Know the expression: "Those who can do. Those who can't teach?" Natalie can do both. But here's something you might not know about this 29 year-old phenomenon...she's also a pretty good artist and an environmentalist as well...and a terrific teacher. Talk about multi-faceted. She is the real deal, and I'm very proud of her!

[observer2020]

This is fantastic! Goldie Hawn and the Wildcats all over again. Keep that whip cracking on your players, Coach! Congratulations. Keep your playbook away from the competition. :)