Women are rising up the ranks throughout professional football, earning positions of power in a space that for too long was ruled almost exclusively by men. We're seeing more and more women breaking barriers in the sport, but what are the stories beyond the headlines? Who are the women shaping and influencing the NFL today? Answering those questions is the aim of the Next Woman Up series. While the conversational Q&As are edited and condensed for clarity, this is a forum for impactful women to share experiences in their own words. Without further ado, we introduce:
Jessica Beckenstein, Carolina Panthers
Position: Head Coach Assistant & Coaching Operations Manager
How did you get your start in a career in football?
Growing up, my dream was to live in New York City and work in beauty and fashion marketing. I have three degrees, and they are all geared toward that. When I was a junior at the University of Alabama, I started working for the football team. My brother, who was in graduate school at the time, had actually worked in the program first. An internship opened, and he told me that I should consider it because it was fun and there was a group of girls my age working, too. I figured I'd give it a whirl. I started as a recruiting operations student assistant and worked the logistical side of recruiting -- so a lot of game-day check-ins, official and unofficial visits, keeping up with a lot of data and systems. My shifts were two days a week for about two hours each, and when they ended, I'd find myself lingering and quickly learned it was something I loved to do. So, I began connecting with more people in the building, and my football career just kind of went from there.
After one year in that role, I became the head of that position under Ashleigh Kimble, helping lead the team of women. I switched over to head coach Nick Saban's office the next year, which flowed into a full-time job where I worked with him but still did some recruiting. It was awesome. I very quickly learned it was something I could very seriously see myself doing with my life and love it.
Having worked under Nick Saban in Alabama's dynasty years, what did you learn from that experience?
So much. Very early on, I learned what greatness looked like. Seeing his process and learning how to achieve that high standard was incredible, and it's something I've taken into my career with the Panthers. Observing the type of leader that he is and how he ran that program, you can't put a price on that. The entire staff carried out the culture, as well, and to be a part of that has helped me get to where I am today, 100 percent.
What does your current role entail?
Every day is different, which is part of what I love about it. My first priority is head coach Dave Canales. I help him with anything that he needs and the entire coaching staff with day-to-day operations. Sometimes it's keeping up with schedules, filming at practice -- tight ends are my group -- or making team meetings. I help everyone with ticketing and field passes, and I help spread the culture throughout the building by making graphics of our daily themes. Another big piece is being a connector to the rest of the building, so I am very hands-on with our operations team, wellness team, sponsorship team, community relations, to help keep the football side engaged with everything else that's going on in the building.
In terms of helping Coach Canales, I make sure all of the small things are in place. For example, I know he likes skinny, red Sharpies, so I make sure he always has them. There are a lot of things people probably wouldn't notice or they might not think are a big deal, but I do them so he doesn't even have to think about the small details or know that they are things. It's a lot of behind the scenes.
So what does game day look like for you?
I have two stages of game days. The first stage is all family related. I get everyone the passes they need, meet family members at the family gate and make sure our head coach's family is taken care of. The other layer is making sure coach Canales and the entire coaching staff have what they need. Once everyone is situated, I flip a switch and am on the sideline. I am at the offensive line bench making sure that the players' tablets are always ready for them with uploaded plays after every drive. After the game, I flip another switch to help with what's next, so I am getting a lot of things prepped for the next day's team meetings.
Sounds like a jam-packed but exciting day. What is the most challenging part of your job?
The challenge comes with every day being so different. Sometimes I have time to sit at my desk and grind, and other times I see my desk for an hour because I'm running around in a million different directions. That also ties into why I love it so much, but time management is important.
What have you learned about yourself?
I think I've learned that one of my passions is helping people. I wouldn't have immediately thought about that in this role, but I do think I'm here to serve. I feel like I've done a good job if everyone is taken care of, and that brings me joy. I've learned how this role can help others in and out of our building.
I know you're just a few years into your career, but what other goals do you have?
I take my life as it comes. But I do really enjoy the operational side of my job, so I think that would be a fun aspect to expand into. My role has expanded each year, and we've seen some consistency and growth within the team and the whole organization, so that's been fun.
What would you say you are most proud of?
I would say being in this position. I remember when I was in college and had just started to enjoy working in football. I thought about a five-year goal, and I felt like I was in the pinnacle of collegiate football and wanted my next step to be the NFL. I thought that might happen five or six years from then. But 10 months after graduation, I got a phone call from the Panthers, and I didn't know anyone in the organization at the time. It just happened, and I moved three days later. That was a moment that taught me if I really want to do something, I can. It's been so fun, and I'm so grateful to be a part of this great team and organization.
Now, let's turn to mentorship. Do you have any mentors, and what advice have you received from them?
I wouldn't say I have a specific mentor, but when I think about when I learned something, it was always at a place. The first is the University of Alabama. That university helped shape who I am. It wasn't a specific person. It was learning from Coach Saban, it was learning from Ashleigh Kimble and Bob Welton in recruiting, it was learning from Linda Leoni in Coach Saban's office. I learned from all of them what the standard of greatness looks like.
On another note, coming to the Panthers fresh out of college, there was an incredible group of women here, including Claire Stokes, Kate Callaway, Katy Rogers. They've been here for years and paved the way for me to come in and learn the ropes. It's a team effort, and I've had so many people in my career who I've taken bits of knowledge from.
What advice do you have for other women looking to get into a career in this space?
Go for it. The glass ceiling has been broken. There are so many incredible women in this space now who have absolutely crushed it. I don't think there's anyone saying we shouldn't be here or we can't do it. There is a lot of work that comes with it, but if you're driven and want a career in football, you should do it, 100 percent.
