FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) has named Keenah Lambert as the first head coach of its new women’s varsity flag football team. This marks a major milestone in the university’s ongoing commitment to expanding athletic opportunities for women. The inaugural season of TXWES Women’s Flag Football will begin in 2026. TXWES is the first university in Texas to launch a varsity women’s flag football team.

Before her appointment as head coach, Lambert served as the City of Fort Worth’s youth sports programmer and flag football administrator, where she launched multiple boys' and girls' flag football teams. Due to the success of this new youth sport in Fort Worth, she expanded the leagues and the playoff process. She also played a key role in identifying emerging female flag football talent in Crowley ISD in collaboration with Angellica Grayson, an NFL Flag Football Ambassador and Assistant Junior National Coach. Lambert has formed strong partnerships with the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans, both of which support the growth, expansion, and development of women’s flag football in Texas and across the nation. Currently, 86 regional high schools offer women’s flag football.

“With leaders like Coach Lambert and institutions like Texas Wesleyan driving the movement forward, the future of women’s flag football in Texas looks incredibly bright," said Danny McCray, youth football development manager for the Dallas Cowboys. “Coach Lambert has an incredible level of enthusiasm and initiative in partnering with the Dallas Cowboys to help grow the sport of women’s flag football. Her passion for the game and commitment to creating opportunities for young women in Texas is evident in everything she does. Texas Wesleyan University has been a tremendous advocate for the sport and a strong ally to the Cowboys organization in our shared goal of expanding women’s flag football.”

Lambert also has an established track record in college athletics, bringing extensive experience from roles at Hofstra University, the University of Rhode Island, and Florida State University. Her background includes athletics support, recruiting, event coordination, and student development.

Prior to serving the City of Fort Worth, Lambert was the director of basketball operations at Florida State University. Lambert helped the men’s team reach the NCAA tournament in 2017 and 2018, with the 2018 team earning a spot in the Elite Eight. Additionally, four of her players signed with the NBA.

“I am excited to serve as the first head coach of Texas Wesleyan University’s varsity women’s flag football team and for the first team of its kind in Texas,” Lambert said. “TXWES is known as a trailblazing university, and I am thrilled to be part of the RAMily.”

Athletic Director Ricky Dotson said, “TXWES has made great strides in expanding its athletic programs, and the addition of a varsity women’s flag football team reflects the university’s

dedication to providing women with opportunities to excel in collegiate sports. This historic step is supported by a dedicated team of professionals, including Keenah, a seasoned collegiate sports program coordinator with extensive experience in sports management and player development.”

As head coach, Lambert will lead the team’s training, recruitment, and community relations efforts. She will ensure the team has the necessary resources to succeed in competition while creating a positive, supportive environment for the athletes.

Lambert earned a Bachelor of Science in sports management and a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Winston-Salem State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in sports management from Florida State.

“TXWES is committed to providing the best possible experience for its student-athletes, and with Keenah’s leadership, the new women’s flag football program is well-positioned for success,” Dotson said. “Fans, students, and alumni are encouraged to stay connected through social media, watch the program grow, and stay tuned for updates on the team’s schedule.”