Jazmin Gamble Aims to Rebuild Hawthorne High Football Program

The Bakersfield native and professional women's football player takes over as the new varsity head coach, bringing enthusiasm and a focus on player development.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:12am

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An abstract, energetic painting in neon colors depicting the explosive movement and power of a football player breaking through the line, capturing the dynamic spirit of Jazmin Gamble's coaching approach.Jazmin Gamble's passion and expertise as both a player and coach shine through in Hawthorne High's renewed energy on the gridiron.Los Angeles Today

Jazmin Gamble, a running back and linebacker for the Los Angeles Legends in the Women's National Football Conference, has been named the new varsity head football coach at Hawthorne High School. At 36 years old, Gamble is a trailblazer as a woman in a male-dominated profession, but she is focused on turning around a struggling program and providing her players with a better experience. Gamble, who was selected as the WNFC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, has experience coaching athletes at all levels and is ready to leverage the attention on her role to benefit the Hawthorne High team.

Why it matters

Gamble's hiring as the new head football coach at Hawthorne High is significant, as she becomes one of the few women to hold that position at the varsity level. Her background as a professional women's football player and her coaching experience working with athletes at all levels make her uniquely qualified to lead the Cougars' program, which has struggled in recent years. Gamble's focus on player development and providing a positive experience for her players could help revive the Hawthorne High football program.

The details

Gamble, a Bakersfield native, was an exceptional all-around athlete growing up, participating in gymnastics, cheerleading, club volleyball, track, and basketball. She moved to Los Angeles 13 years ago and started a fitness business called The Jazz Standard, where she has trained athletes, including some of her WNFC teammates. Gamble is in her last year playing for the Los Angeles Legends, and she is ready to transition more into coaching. She applied for the Hawthorne High head coaching job and was selected for the position. Gamble is still assembling her coaching staff, but one of her assistants will be her brother, Kenneth Davis, a former receiver at Liberty High in Bakersfield.

  • Gamble turns 36 in June 2026.
  • Gamble was selected as the WNFC's Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.
  • The Legends' next home game is on April 25, 2026, against the Utah Falconz at St. Anthony Sports Complex in Lakewood.
  • Hawthorne High went 2-8 last season, finishing fourth in the Ocean League and being outscored by 281 points.
  • Gamble had 22 players show up for the first day of workouts in the weight room.

The players

Jazmin Gamble

The new varsity head football coach at Hawthorne High School, a running back and linebacker for the Los Angeles Legends in the Women's National Football Conference, and a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor who owns a business called The Jazz Standard.

Kenneth Davis

Gamble's brother, who will be one of her assistant coaches on the Hawthorne High football staff. He is a former receiver at Liberty High in Bakersfield.

Anthony Green

The projected starting quarterback for Hawthorne High next season, who played in the last two games as a sophomore last year after transferring from King/Drew.

Adrian Lopez

A junior linebacker at Hawthorne High who was an All-League first teamer last fall.

Mario Romero

The athletic director at Hawthorne High who was involved in the hiring process and is excited about Gamble's leadership.

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What they’re saying

“It's less about proving a point and more about giving all these boys a better experience. I'm not downplaying the impact of it, rather I want to leverage the attention in a way that benefits the players and opens doors for them.”

— Jazmin Gamble, Head Coach, Hawthorne High Football

“Jazmin's a breath of fresh air. She's brought enthusiasm across the entire school community and I'm excited about where her leadership is going to take us.”

— Mario Romero, Athletic Director, Hawthorne High

“She made a good impression. I like the workouts — they're very intense — and I like the competition. Coach expects a lot and she pushes us.”

— Anthony Green, Quarterback, Hawthorne High

“Her practices are intense — she knows what she's doing. She has a home game coming up and I think I'll go out and watch. My goal for us is to have at least a .500 season and make the playoffs.”

— Adrian Lopez, Linebacker, Hawthorne High

What’s next

Gamble is still assembling her coaching staff, but she expects to have the full team together in May when track season ends. The Cougars' first home game under Gamble's leadership will be on April 25 against the Utah Falconz.

The takeaway

Jazmin Gamble's hiring as the new head football coach at Hawthorne High represents a significant milestone for women in coaching, but her focus is on reviving a struggling program and providing her players with a positive, developmental experience. Her background as a professional women's football player and her coaching experience working with athletes at all levels make her uniquely qualified for the job, and her enthusiasm and intensity have already made a strong impression on the Hawthorne High community.