The Founder
Ashley Cornwell currently serves as the Head of Coaching Development and Resources for the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC).
Prior to her current position, Cornwell joined Bucknell University, where she was hired in February 2024 as the Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Analyst. She was elevated in August 2024 to Interim Tight Ends Coach and In-Game Management Coordinator, becoming the first woman to serve on the football coaching staff at both Bucknell and in Patriot League history.
Before Bucknell, Cornwell served as Offensive Line Coach at Oberlin College. She has also coached offensive line for the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program in 2023, 2024, and 2025, helping develop one NFL Draft pick (Travis Clayton) and seven undrafted players—each currently on an NFL roster.
Cornwell began her collegiate coaching career as a Student Assistant Coach at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, working across all three phases of the game—offense, defense, and special teams—while also contributing to recruiting. During her four seasons with the Badgers, she became the first female football coach at Wisconsin, the Big Ten, and at any Power Five program (2019). Her tenure saw Wisconsin appear in four bowl games:
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2019 Big Ten Championship Game
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2020 Rose Bowl
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2020 Duke’s Mayo Bowl
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2021 Las Vegas Bowl
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2022 Guaranteed Rate Bowl
During that time, Wisconsin produced 11 NFL Draft picks and 7 undrafted free-agent signings.
Cornwell has been a regular participant in prestigious coaching development programs:
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NFL Women’s Forum (2022, 2023)
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Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship with the Tennessee Titans (2022), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023), Washington Commanders (2024), and Cleveland Browns (2025)
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NCAA Champions Forum for Football (2025), where she was the first woman ever selected
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NFL/NCAA Coaching Academy (2024)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Academy (2024)
She has also presented at top national coaching clinics, including the AFCA Convention (2024) on offensive line pass protection and the National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches (NCMFC) in 2025 on run-game philosophy.
Cornwell’s football journey began in Wisconsin, where she played both flag and tackle football before coaching specialists and wide receivers at the high school level.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies with a focus in Global Security from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, along with a certificate in Environmental Studies. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Sports Leadership.
