Miami Jackson Makes History, Hires Female Head Coach

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – History has been made.

Miami Jackson has made a big splash in filling its previously vacant job of head football coach.

Jackson announced the hiring of Lakatriona "Kay Kay" Brunson to be its next head football coach and Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell as associate head coach and defensive coordinator Monday afternoon in a press conference in the school's media center.

Reports initially surfaced Monday morning that Brunson had been tabbed as the Generals' new head coach – making her the first female head football coach in Florida High School football history.

Brunson replaces former NFL pro and University of Miami alum Earl Little, who led the Generals to a 9-11 record during his two-year tenure at Jackson – going 3-6 in 2015.

Brunson's hiring sent polarizing shockwaves throughout South Florida – the entire state and probably the county.

Brunson is best known for her role as "Bernice" on the truTV reality series "South Beach Tow."

But she does have an athletic background.

She is an alumnus of Northwestern, where she was a member of the track and field team – shot put and discus thrower – as well as playing basketball for the Bulls.

Brunson then went to college at Tennessee State University, where she played basketball and later played football for the Miami Fury in the Independent Women's Football League.

Brunson is a full-time physical education teacher at Jackson, as well as serving as an assistant coach on the basketball team and serving as the head coach of Jackson's flag football team – an FHSAA sanctioned all-girl sport.

Still, many will view Brunson's potential hiring as either – or both – a publicity stunt or just a titular hire as Campbell and other coaches would handle the actual football coaching.

But it couldn't be further from the truth according to Brunson.

"Today is historic," Brunson said. "We're here to change the atmosphere at Miami Jackson and get some W's on the board. I know I'm a woman, but I know that I can do the job here. You all just [wait] around for it…big things are going to happen here."

"I'm ready for whatever comes my way. I don't like to lose and I love to win. And anyone that has doubt; has no place around me or around Jackson. I've played football for eight years. I can talk the talk and walk the walk. If they want to talk football lets go. If they want to play football, strap up," Brunson added.

Campbell – the 2 Live Crew rapper, author and youth football league director – will be the associate head coach and defensive coordinator – a position he's held at Miami Northwestern and most recently at Miami Norland.

Campbell has put together and led some of the better defenses in Miami-Dade County over the past couple of years. In his two seasons as Norland's defensive coordinator, the Vikings were among the stingiest and most aggressive units. In 2015, Norland shutout three opponents and held two more to seven or less points.

"I'm happy to be here with Coach B," Campbell said. "It's a great thing for this community and it's a great thing for women in general. You look at the Buffalo Bills and them hiring the first full-time assistant coach. I'm happy to be a part of it. It's no circus act. We're about winning."