TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the first NFL team to have two female coaches on staff, according to their announcement on Wednesday.
The team hired Maral Javadifar as an assistant strength and conditioning coach, and Lori Locust as an assistant defensive line coach, according to a press release.
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The two women are the first full-time female coaches in franchise history, according to the release.
Javadifar recently worked as a physical therapist at Avant Physical Therapy in Seattle, according to the Bucs. Locus worked as the defensive line coach for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football.
“I know how hard it can be to get that first opportunity to coach at the highest level of professional football,” said Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians. “Sometimes, all you need is the right organization to offer up the opportunity. The Glazer family and our general manager, Jason Licht, were extremely supportive of my decision, and I know Maral and Lori will be great additions to my coaching staff."
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“I have known Lori going back to my days at Temple University and I’ve seen firsthand just how knowledgeable and passionate she is about this game," Arians continued. "I was equally impressed with Maral’s background in performance training and physical therapy and I know she will be a valuable asset to our strength and conditioning program.”
For more information on the two new coaches click here.
