Last Updated on October 14, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Sean Payton is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who serves as the head coach of the Denver Broncos in the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 29, 1963, in San Mateo, California, Payton is widely recognized for leading the New Orleans Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most successful coaches.
Sean Payton’s family includes his wife, Skylene Montgomery, his two children, Meghan and Connor Payton, and his parents, Thomas and Jeanne Payton. He also grew up with three siblings: an older brother named Tom, an older sister named Patrice and a younger sister named Molly. Previously married to Beth Shuey, Payton has maintained close relationships with his children while balancing the demanding responsibilities of an NFL coaching career.
Who Is Sean Payton’s Wife?
Sean Payton is married to Skylene Montgomery, a former beauty pageant winner and registered nurse from Parkersburg, West Virginia.
The couple married on June 18, 2021, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, after maintaining a relationship for several years.
According to a January 2026 feature published by People magazine, Payton and Montgomery first met in 2014 while he was coaching the New Orleans Saints.
At the time, Montgomery was working as a nurse in North Carolina and wanted tickets to a Saints game against the Carolina Panthers.
She contacted a mutual acquaintance who provided a telephone number belonging to Payton.
The two eventually met during the pregame activities, and their relationship developed over the following years.
Although Payton was already one of the NFL’s most recognizable coaches, Montgomery maintained an independent professional career and generally preferred to avoid public attention.
Who Is Skylene Montgomery?
Skylene Montgomery was born on December 4, 1984, in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
She is the daughter of Skylar and Darlene Montgomery and grew up as an only child.
During her childhood, Montgomery developed an interest in sports, particularly volleyball and softball.
She later attended Marshall University, where she studied exercise physiology and participated in the Delta Zeta sorority.
Montgomery subsequently attended West Virginia University’s nursing program, graduating in 2009.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, she participated in beauty pageants and won the Miss West Virginia USA title in 2008.
That victory allowed her to represent West Virginia in the Miss USA competition.
Following her education, Montgomery pursued nursing and worked in the gastrointestinal intensive care unit at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.
She also coached volleyball and participated in charitable initiatives supporting children, healthcare and community organizations.
According to People magazine, she has been involved with Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation and fundraising activities supporting cancer research and hunger relief.
Outside her professional responsibilities, Montgomery enjoys fitness activities, including yoga, boxing, CrossFit and golf.
Sean Payton and Skylene Montgomery’s Wedding
Sean Payton proposed to Skylene Montgomery on November 8, 2019, during a private celebration.
According to People magazine, Montgomery initially believed she was attending an anniversary party.
During the event, country singer Heidi Newfield performed the song “Johnny and June,” which held special meaning for the couple.
Payton surprised Montgomery by proposing during the performance.
Their engagement was publicly announced shortly afterward.
The couple initially planned to marry in March 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to postpone the ceremony.
They eventually exchanged vows in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on June 18, 2021.
The ceremony was attended by close friends and family members and was officiated by Avery Johnson, a former NBA player and coach.
As of now, Skylene Montgomery remains Sean Payton’s publicly confirmed wife.
Who Is Sean Payton’s Ex-Wife, Beth Shuey?
Before marrying Skylene Montgomery, Sean Payton was married to Beth Shuey, with whom he shares two children.
Payton met Shuey while working as a football coach at Indiana State University.
At the time, Shuey was studying at the university, and Payton was beginning his coaching career.
The couple married in July 1992 and remained together for approximately two decades.
During their marriage, they welcomed their daughter Meghan in 1997 and son Connor in 2000.
Shuey supported Payton during several important stages of his coaching career, including his move to New Orleans in 2006.
The family celebrated one of his greatest professional achievements when the Saints won Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010.
However, the marriage eventually ended.
Payton filed for divorce in June 2012, during the season in which he was suspended from the NFL over the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal. Their divorce was subsequently finalized.
The former couple continued their separate lives while maintaining family connections through Meghan and Connor.
Beth later married real estate professional Jamie McGuire in September 2020, according to reporting examining the real-life events depicted in the film “Home Team.”
Sean Payton’s Children: How Many Kids Does He Have?
Sean Payton has two children: a daughter named Meghan Payton and a son named Connor Payton.
Both children were born during his marriage to Beth Shuey.
Their identities are confirmed in Payton’s official Denver Broncos coaching biography, which lists Meghan and Connor as his daughter and son.
Unlike some children of professional football coaches who pursue athletic careers, Meghan established herself in sports journalism, while Connor developed an interest in football scouting and team operations.
Meghan Payton – Sean Payton’s Daughter
Meghan Payton was born on March 21, 1997, and is Sean Payton’s eldest child.
She grew up around professional football, particularly during her father’s successful coaching career with the New Orleans Saints.
In 2006, Meghan moved to Louisiana with her family after Payton became the Saints’ head coach.
Her childhood experiences gave her an early understanding of professional sports, media coverage and the responsibilities of an NFL coach.
Meghan later attended Pepperdine University in California, where she studied sports journalism and media production.
During her university years, she completed internships and gained experience covering professional sports.
One of her most memorable assignments involved interviewing her father for NFL Network’s “NFL Total Access.”
The interview attracted attention because Meghan approached her father as a professional journalist rather than simply discussing football with him as his daughter.
She subsequently worked with several sports media organizations, including Fox Sports, the Action Network and SportsGrid.
Meghan also received an Emmy Award in 2020 for her work producing content for the NFL Network’s “NFL 100” program.
She later became a host and analyst for FanDuel TV.
In June 2023, Meghan married writer and actor Chris Titone, who helped develop the screenplay for the Netflix film “Home Team,” inspired by her father’s experiences coaching Connor’s youth football team.
Her own professional accomplishments have allowed her to establish a public identity beyond being the daughter of an NFL coach.
Connor Payton – Sean Payton’s Son
Connor Payton was born on May 31, 2000, and is Sean Payton’s youngest child.
Like his older sister, Connor spent much of his childhood surrounded by professional football.
He frequently visited New Orleans Saints facilities and attended games while his father coached the team.
One particularly important period in their relationship occurred during the 2012 NFL season.
After Sean Payton was suspended from coaching the Saints, he spent additional time with his family and became involved in Connor’s youth football team.
According to the NFL’s official website, Payton expressed excitement about helping coach his son’s team, participating in practices and supporting him during games.
The experience allowed the father and son to develop a different relationship away from the demands of professional football.
Their story later inspired the Netflix sports comedy “Home Team,” released in January 2022, in which Kevin James portrayed Sean Payton.
After high school, Connor attended Texas Christian University (TCU).
He subsequently pursued opportunities in professional football operations, including an internship with the New Orleans Saints scouting department.
During a 2022 interview with WDSU, Connor explained that growing up around the Saints influenced his ambition to build a career in football.
His professional interests have included player evaluation, scouting and NFL front-office operations.
Sean Payton’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Sean Payton was born to Thomas Payton and Jeanne Payton.
Both parents originally came from Scranton, Pennsylvania, before moving across the United States for professional and family reasons.
During a September 2024 appearance on the podcast “In Search of Excellence,” Payton discussed his parents and childhood experiences.
He explained that his father’s career in insurance required the family to relocate several times, including moves to California, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Thomas Payton – Sean Payton’s Father
Thomas Payton is Sean Payton’s father and a former businessman who worked in the insurance industry.
According to Sean’s 2024 interview with Randall Kaplan, Thomas worked for CNA Insurance and other companies during his professional career.
His employment required the family to move between different American states.
Thomas and Jeanne were originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, but relocated to California before Sean’s birth.
The family later moved to Pennsylvania and eventually settled in Naperville, Illinois.
During the same interview, Sean recalled that his father had an unusual hobby: performing magic tricks.
Thomas enjoyed entertaining children and neighbors with magic shows, sometimes using rabbits and doves.
Sean explained that his older brother shared their father’s interest in magic.
The family kept animals that Thomas used during his performances, creating memorable experiences during the children’s upbringing.
Although Thomas was not a professional football player, his career and interests contributed to the varied childhood experiences that shaped Sean’s personality.
Jeanne Payton – Sean Payton’s Mother
Jeanne Payton is Sean Payton’s mother.
Like her husband, Jeanne originally came from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She raised four children while the family relocated between different parts of the United States.
Sean was born in San Mateo, California, while his two older siblings had been born before the family moved west.
After spending several years in California, the family returned east, living near Philadelphia before eventually settling in Illinois.
These experiences meant Jeanne helped raise her children through several major transitions involving new schools and communities.
Although Sean has discussed his childhood and parents during interviews, reliable public information about Jeanne’s professional career and other personal details remains limited.
Her role in raising Sean and his siblings is nevertheless an important part of his early family background.
Sean Payton’s Siblings: Meet His Brother and Sisters
Sean Payton has three siblings: an older brother named Tom Payton, an older sister named Patrice Payton and a younger sister named Molly Payton.
Their names appear in published biographical records, including NNDB and Healthy Celeb.
Payton also confirmed during his September 2024 podcast interview that he grew up in a family of four children, with one older brother, one older sister and one younger sister.
Tom Payton – Sean Payton’s Older Brother
Tom Payton is Sean Payton’s older brother.
He was born before the family relocated to California, where Sean was later born in 1963.
Tom shared his father’s interest in magic and participated in activities involving magic tricks and animals used during performances.
During his 2024 interview, Sean recalled how his father and older brother enjoyed practicing magic together.
He also remembered their family keeping doves in the basement and rabbits that were used during magic shows.
Although Tom has been identified in published biographies, reliable public information about his education, profession and personal life remains limited.
Patrice Payton – Sean Payton’s Older Sister
Patrice Payton is Sean Payton’s older sister.
She was born before the family moved to California, making her one of the two oldest children in the household.
Like her siblings, Patrice experienced several relocations during childhood because of her father’s work in the insurance industry.
She grew up in a family that eventually settled in the Chicago area, where Sean attended high school.
While Patrice’s relationship with Sean is documented in biographical records, she has maintained a relatively private public profile.
Reliable sources reviewed for this article do not establish her current profession or additional personal details.
Molly Payton – Sean Payton’s Younger Sister
Molly Payton is Sean Payton’s younger sister and the youngest of the four children raised by Thomas and Jeanne Payton.
During his September 2024 interview, Sean explained that he and his younger sister were both born in San Mateo, California.
She later moved with the family to Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Unlike Sean, who developed a highly public professional career in the NFL, Molly has generally remained outside the spotlight.
Although her name is recorded in published biographies, reliable sources provide limited information about her education, occupation and personal life.
Sean Payton’s Early Life and Family Background
Sean Payton was born on December 29, 1963, in San Mateo, California.
His family moved several times during his childhood because of his father’s professional responsibilities.
After spending part of his early years in California, he lived in Pennsylvania before relocating to Naperville, Illinois.
He attended Naperville Central High School, where he played quarterback during his senior year.
His performances eventually helped him earn an opportunity to play college football at Eastern Illinois University.
At Eastern Illinois, Payton developed into a successful quarterback and earned multiple All-American honors.
He concluded his college career with 10,665 passing yards, a remarkable achievement at the time.
Following college, he spent time playing professional football, including appearances with the Chicago Bears during the 1987 NFL players’ strike.
He began his coaching career at San Diego State University in 1988.
Payton subsequently worked with several college and professional teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.
His major breakthrough came in 2006 when the New Orleans Saints appointed him head coach.
He transformed the team into one of the NFL’s most successful offenses, leading New Orleans to victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in February 2010.
After leaving the Saints following the 2021 season, Payton spent time away from coaching before joining the Denver Broncos in 2023.
In June 2026, the Broncos announced a new five-year contract keeping him with the organization through the 2030 season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sean Payton’s Family
Who is Sean Payton’s wife?
Sean Payton is married to Skylene Montgomery, a former Miss West Virginia USA winner and registered nurse. The couple married on June 18, 2021.
Who was Sean Payton’s first wife?
His first wife was Beth Shuey, whom he married in July 1992. They have two children together, Meghan and Connor, and divorced after approximately two decades of marriage.
How many children does Sean Payton have?
Sean Payton has two children: a daughter named Meghan Payton, born in 1997, and a son named Connor Payton, born in 2000.
Who is Sean Payton’s daughter?
His daughter is Meghan Payton, a sports journalist and television personality who has worked with NFL Network, Fox Sports and FanDuel TV.
Who is Sean Payton’s son?
His son is Connor Payton, who studied at Texas Christian University and has pursued opportunities in football scouting and NFL team operations.
Does Sean Payton have children with Skylene Montgomery?
There are no publicly confirmed children from Sean Payton’s marriage to Skylene Montgomery. His two publicly known children are from his first marriage to Beth Shuey.
Who is Sean Payton’s father?
His father is Thomas Payton, a former insurance industry professional who originally came from Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Who is Sean Payton’s mother?
His mother is Jeanne Payton, who raised Sean and his three siblings while the family lived in several American states.
How many siblings does Sean Payton have?
Sean Payton has three siblings: one older brother, one older sister and one younger sister.
Who are Sean Payton’s siblings?
His siblings are Tom Payton, Patrice Payton and Molly Payton, according to published biographical records.
Is the Netflix movie Home Team based on Sean Payton’s family?
Yes. The 2022 Netflix movie “Home Team,” starring Kevin James, was inspired by Sean Payton’s experiences helping coach his son Connor’s youth football team during his 2012 NFL suspension.
Where is Sean Payton from?
Sean Payton was born in San Mateo, California, but considers the Chicago area, particularly Naperville, Illinois, an important part of his hometown identity.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
