Victory is when NFL's 'female coach' is just 'coach'

When Sandra Day O'Connor was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court she became the first "female justice."

Right now there are three women on the court. We call them: Justices.

That's how when you know things have actually changed.

It's when there is no qualifying word before a title. Nothing to do with race or sex or sexual orientation or anything else.

Jen Welter busted through a gender wall by being named a coach with the Arizona Cardinals, working with inside linebackers throughout training camp and the preseason.

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For now, she is the NFL's first "female coach."

Welter has a master's degree in sports psychology and a Ph.D in psychology.

No one calls her a "female doctor."

She's just a … doctor.

That's how it should be, but not always how it is.

I've worked with many editors who are women. In my business we call them … editors.

Famous women sports pioneers:

For the years that Gov. Jan Brewer was in office I referred to her as … governor.

Lawyers. Police officers. Physicians. Bankers. Professors.

None of these jobs are preceded by the word "female" anymore.

At some point, neither will the word "coach," even when speaking of the NFL.

HEAT INDEX:Twitter reacts to Cardinals hiring of Jen Welter

Cardinals' head coach Bruce Arians has said, "Coaching is nothing more than teaching. One thing I have learned from players is 'How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don't care if you're the Green Hornet, I'll listen.'"

He said of Welter, "I really believe she'll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her.''

Good for the Cardinals and for Arians.

Welter has been a coach with Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League. She is an accomplished athlete and an educated woman, a former rugby and football player.

This is a big step for the NFL and for her.

It will be an even bigger step -- it will be the way things should be -- when she transitions from "female coach" to … coach.