Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group reports that San Francisco 49ers offensive assistant Katie Sowers' time with the team has ended. It is unclear what prompted the separation. Although, her contract expired, and the coach is free to explore other opportunities.
"I will sadly not be back," Sowers confirmed in a text message to Inman without offering further clarification.
Sowers initially joined Kyle Shanahan's staff in 2017 as an intern under the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship and was later retained as a full-time coach, helping in several areas, including working with the team's receivers. Sowers previously served as a training camp assistant with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016.
"She's been tremendous. Katie was here before I was," quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said of Sowers last year. "What she does with the receivers, all the skill position guys, how she interacts with them, it's special. She's feisty, man. Katie is awesome out there. She'll get after the guys. It's fun to be around."
The 34-year-old served as the 49ers' first female assistant coach, the NFL's first openly gay coach, and became the first female to coach in a Super Bowl when the 49ers faced the Kansas City Chiefs last February.
"Being the first, it is historic," Sowers said, leading to Super Bowl LIV. "I mean, there always has to be a first to make change, but the most important thing that I continue to say is just to make sure I'm not the last."
Said 49ers CEO Jed York before Super Bowl LIV: "And Katie, especially, she works so hard, and she's been such a great part of our team. It's inspirational to see that a young lady can come in and step up and be the first woman to stand on the field during the Super Bowl."
