Alabama State flag football introduces first-ever Division I coach
Alabama State University is set to pioneer women’s flag football at the Division I level.
On Thursday, Alabama State athletic director Jason Cable introduced its new head coach, noting the history of the moment.
“The first women’s flag football coach in the history of Division I athletics,” Cable said to the crowd. “Here, where history is made, at the Alabama State University– Mrs. Jennifer Constuble.”
Constuble, who brings over two decades of flag football coaching experience, highlighted how she’s seen the sport grow.
“When I started back in 2003,” she said, “I was literally bringing girls off the sidelines because they were sitting on field watching their brothers and their cousins and their older neighbors play football. And seeing the desire in their eyes and being able to say, ‘Hey, listen, you can play this too.'”
Starting the first all-girls team in her area with just eight players, Constuble’s team fearlessly competed against boys’ teams. She eventually grew the NFL flag affiliate league in her area to 500 athletes. Constuble alsoled her high school team to a national ranking this season.
She sees the university adding flag football as a significant milestone.
“For ASU to be so dedicated and see how important it is to bring a program like this at the Division I level,” she said, “it holds all the other schools around us in a predicament.”
The sport has seen rapid growth in local high school programs over the past two years. Flag football will make its Olympic debut in 2028.
Alabama State flag football will kick off its season in February.
