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Former 49ers Asst. Katie Sowers Joins Chiefs Through Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship
May 27, 2021
Former San Francisco 49ers assistant Katie Sowers announced she's joining the Kansas City Chiefs staff.
"Huge thanks to the chiefs organization for believing in me and providing me another opportunity to grow my coaching experience while learning from the best in the game through the Bill Walsh Diversity fellowship," she wrote on Instagram. "Let’s keep growing the game. See you this summer, chiefs kingdom."
Sowers first joined the 49ers in 2017 as a seasonal offensive assistant and worked her way up to a full-time role with the team, becoming the second woman to do so in the NFL after the Buffalo Bills hired Kathryn Smith in 2016. As the franchise reached Super Bowl LIV, the 34-year-old made history and became the first woman to coach in the annual showcase.
Sowers left this offseason after San Francisco declined to renew her contract. Working with the Chiefs will bring the Hesston, Kansas, native closer to home.
During a Q&A event in conjunction with Sky Sports in April, she appeared to hint at a formal partnership to come with the Chiefs when posed a query about Patrick Mahomes' standing about the great quarterbacks.
"I think he has a lot to prove still," she said. "I might be able to tell you more in depth in a few months; we'll see..."
Sowers is the second hire for Kansas City through the fellowship in as many days. Former Missouri wide receiver L'Damian Washington said Tuesday he will be working with the offense and wideouts this offseason.
The Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship is a way for aspiring coaches to get their foot in the door with NFL teams. They work with a staff for extended stretches of the offseason and in some cases receive a more long-term position.
Sowers got her start in San Francisco through the program.