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:
Madilyn Johnson, New York Jets
Position: Coordinator, Coaching Operations
How did you get your start in a career in football?
I grew up in football. My dad, Bobby Johnson, is a coach, so I was around the game a lot growing up and attracted to it naturally. I was the kid who was very involved and wondered who played what position and about the stats. My sister was the opposite; she brought a book to the game and read in the stands. In the summer of 2021, I took a football operations internship with the Washington Football Team, and coach Ron Rivera recommended the NFL Women's Careers and Football Forum to me. I applied, got in and that's how I got connected with so many people from so many teams. I am so passionate about the women's forum and networking. At the time, the event was still virtual, so it was a bit of a challenge connecting with people through chat rooms and breakout groups. I did have an interview set up with the Jets' Mari Jo Kohler, who was the assistant director of football operations. That set me up to get a seasonal internship with the team in 2022. I then was asked to do a second year in that role, and in the 2024 offseason, (then-)head coach Robert Saleh asked me to move over to coaching operations to be in this role. I thought, Why not?
What does your current role, coaching operations coordinator, entail?
Head coach Aaron Glenn has an assistant, Kalevi Breckterfield, who helps him with the day-to-day things. I assist with other personal needs with his family, and I am the main contact for all the coaches' families for whatever they may need, ranging from relocation to finding a pediatrician. I also help out with the day-to-day tasks for the rest of the coaching staff. That could be anything from an administrative level or helping with something for a position-group meeting. If a coach needs a specific type of pen, I'm going to find it.
What would you say is the most challenging part of your job?
It's the most challenging but also the part I enjoy the most, and that is nothing is ever the same. This job keeps me on my toes, and I have to solve problems on the fly. When you walk through the door each day, you never know what challenge you might face. That can be a little intimidating sometimes, but I get excited about facing something new and know that I'll be ready for that same challenge if it happens again in the future. It's going to push me to become better in this role and as a person.
What does the pre-draft process and NFL draft look like from a coaching operations standpoint?
Typically, I assist our personnel operations staff with the coaches' schedules for when the players we draft come into the facility. The same goes with top-30 visits during the pre-draft process, so I help with logistics. If a coach has to hit the road for a pro day or workout, that's also where I jump in and assist.
During the three days of the draft, I am really helping AG. When a first-round draft pick arrives, I'll get him set up with AG and they hit the ground running.
Even though you've only just begun your career, what have you learned about yourself?
I am more adaptable than I thought I was. In this industry, you meet a ton of people. You have to be flexible and our jobs are ever-changing. I have assisted three head coaches during my time here, so I have had to adapt to whatever the current head coach prefers. I've learned that I got this, whatever that coach needs. Sometimes a new coach will show me a different way to do something, and learning new ways to do a job has given me other perspectives.
Now, let's turn to mentorship. Do you have any mentors, and what advice have you received from them?
When I first got into the league, Mari Jo Kohler and Christina Wedding took me under their wings and really helped me. They were in the football operations world and showed me the ropes. They were two people I really relied on. Then, when I went into coaching operations, I looked to Steve Scarnecchia and Laura Young, and I still talk to all of these people often when I'm facing a problem or need advice. They mean a lot to me. And of course, my dad. He's the reason I got into football, and it's a very big part of our relationship.
And now, what advice do you have for other women looking to get into a career in this space?
No job is too small and no obstacle is too big. That's one thing. Another I've had to learn that my friend Isabel "Izzy" Diaz, who works with the Indianapolis Colts, taught me: Closed mouths don't get fed. As women, we get taught at a young age that you have to be quiet in certain spaces or only speak when spoken to. It's important that women know we can be in this male-dominated space and do our jobs at a very high level, and we need to speak up for ourselves. There's no need for us as women to make ourselves smaller when we know we're doing a damn good job at something. That's the biggest thing.
That's a great point and some great advice. Now, looking ahead, what are other goals for your career?
The big picture is to win a Lombardi Trophy. But in the short term, I always tell coaches that I want to see them have success more than I want to see the success for myself. My role is very behind the scenes, and I enjoy that part of it. I enjoy doing the day-to-day work so the coaches I assist can call plays on Sundays. If they have success or reach a milestone in their careers, that brings peace to me, knowing that I helped them achieve that success in some way.
And lastly, what are you most proud of?
Going from football operations to coaching operations. Football operations is more about the big picture and the entire team, logistics and there are a lot of moving pieces. Coaching operations is narrowed down to the coaching staff. I am a reflection of AG's culture in the organization and trying to help him prepare for whatever comes next. I was hesitant at first when coach Robert Saleh asked me to move departments, but I'm so glad I took that opportunity. I'm really proud of myself for taking that job and finding my place in football.
