Last Updated on November 6, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Kevin O’Connell is an American football coach and former professional quarterback who serves as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 25, 1985, in Knoxville, Tennessee, O’Connell played college football at San Diego State University before beginning his NFL playing career with the New England Patriots in 2008.
Beyond football, O’Connell is a husband and father of four children. He is married to Leah O’Connell, formerly Leah Lathrop, whom he met while attending San Diego State University.
The couple has two sons, Kaden and Kolten, and two daughters, Quinn and Callie. Their youngest daughter was born in November 2022, during O’Connell’s first season as Minnesota’s head coach.
O’Connell’s parents are Bill O’Connell, a retired FBI special agent, and Suzanne O’Connell, a former educator. He also has an older sister named Kelley O’Connell, who works as an attorney.
Family has remained an important part of O’Connell’s life throughout his transition from NFL quarterback to Super Bowl-winning assistant coach and Minnesota Vikings head coach.
Kevin O’Connell’s Wife – Leah O’Connell
Kevin O’Connell is married to Leah O’Connell, his college sweetheart and longtime partner.
Leah, whose maiden name is Lathrop, was a volleyball player at San Diego State University when she met Kevin, who was the school’s starting quarterback.
The couple began dating before Kevin’s final college football season and married in approximately 2010, while he was associated with the New York Jets.
Leah has supported her husband throughout his professional football career, including the uncertainty of his early playing years and his subsequent transition into coaching.
Their relationship was featured in a July 22, 2022, Minnesota Vikings article titled “Shared Game Plan Key to Journey for Leah & Kevin O’Connell.”
Who Is Leah O’Connell?
Leah O’Connell is a former college volleyball player who attended San Diego State University on an athletic scholarship.
She competed as a setter for the San Diego State Aztecs and served as a team captain.
Her athletic background helped her understand the dedication and demands associated with Kevin’s football career.
Leah is the daughter of former professional football player and coach Kit Lathrop and his wife, Becki Lathrop.
Because her father worked in professional football, Leah spent part of her childhood moving between different cities as his coaching career developed.
These experiences helped prepare her for the frequent relocations associated with Kevin’s NFL career.
In addition to her sporting background, Leah enjoys writing, storytelling and community activities.
She has also coached children’s volleyball, flag football and soccer teams.
How Did Kevin O’Connell Meet His Wife?
Kevin O’Connell met Leah Lathrop while they were students at San Diego State University.
According to their 2022 Vikings interview, Leah first noticed Kevin while sitting with a friend on campus.
She asked her friend about the tall student-athlete she had seen and learned that he was the university’s quarterback.
Because they were both college athletes, Kevin and Leah eventually became part of overlapping social circles.
The two developed a friendship before beginning a romantic relationship during the summer preceding Kevin’s senior football season.
Their relationship continued after the New England Patriots selected Kevin in the 2008 NFL Draft.
At the time, Leah was completing her college education in San Diego, while Kevin was beginning his professional career on the East Coast.
The couple maintained their relationship despite the geographical distance.
When Did Kevin O’Connell Get Married?
Kevin O’Connell and Leah Lathrop married in approximately 2010.
According to the Minnesota Vikings, the couple became engaged and married within a 12-month period while Kevin was playing for the New York Jets.
Pro Football Network also identifies 2010 as the year of their marriage.
Although their marriage is publicly confirmed, the exact wedding date and location have not been independently established through the official sources reviewed.
The couple subsequently built a family together while Kevin transitioned from professional football into coaching.
How Leah O’Connell Supports Her Husband’s Coaching Career
Leah has played an important role in supporting Kevin throughout his coaching career.
His professional responsibilities required the family to relocate multiple times, including moves connected to coaching opportunities in Cleveland, Washington, Los Angeles and Minnesota.
In the 2022 Vikings interview, Leah described how frequently they had moved since beginning their relationship.
She explained that the couple worked together to maintain stability for their children while adapting to new environments.
When Kevin became the Vikings’ head coach in February 2022, Leah and their three children attended his introductory press conference.
Both sets of grandparents were also present.
The celebration represented an important milestone for the family because Kevin had reached one of the highest positions in professional football coaching.
Kevin O’Connell’s Children
Kevin O’Connell and his wife, Leah, have four children: two sons named Kaden and Kolten and two daughters named Quinn and Callie.
All four children are identified in the Minnesota Vikings’ official coaching biography.
The family frequently attends Vikings games and activities, and Kevin has spoken publicly about balancing coaching responsibilities with fatherhood.
Kaden O’Connell – Kevin O’Connell’s Oldest Son
Kaden O’Connell is Kevin and Leah’s oldest child.
He was born around 2015, according to information published in the Vikings’ July 2022 family feature, which identified him as seven years old.
Kaden developed an interest in sports during childhood, particularly football, basketball, baseball and golf.
In the Vikings interview, Leah explained that Kaden enjoyed watching football and had become increasingly interested in understanding his father’s job.
He frequently attended games and enjoyed spending time on the field during pregame activities.
Kevin has also coached Kaden’s youth flag football team.
During the 2020 NFL season, Leah helped homeschool Kaden alongside the children of fellow NFL coach Brandon Staley while both families were living in Los Angeles.
The arrangement created lasting friendships between the two coaching families.
Quinn O’Connell – Kevin O’Connell’s Older Daughter
Quinn O’Connell is Kevin and Leah’s older daughter.
She was born around 2017, based on the Vikings’ 2022 family profile, which identified her as five years old.
Quinn enjoys spending time with her parents and participating in family activities.
According to Leah, Kevin frequently organized tea parties and played games with Quinn during his time away from football.
They also enjoyed reading books, playing with dolls and participating in other activities together.
Quinn has taken part in youth sports, including soccer and flag football.
Her mother has helped coach some of these activities, while Kevin has participated when his professional schedule allowed.
These experiences show how the couple has worked to remain involved in their children’s lives despite the demands of NFL coaching.
Kolten O’Connell – Kevin O’Connell’s Younger Son
Kolten O’Connell is Kevin and Leah’s second son.
He was born around 2019, according to the Vikings’ July 2022 interview, which identified him as three years old.
During his early childhood, Kolten particularly enjoyed swimming, visiting playgrounds and playing with toys.
Leah recalled that Kevin enjoyed spending time playing with Kolten whenever he was away from his coaching responsibilities.
Like his older siblings, Kolten has attended football games with the family.
His upbringing has included living in different states as Kevin’s professional career developed.
Callie O’Connell – Kevin O’Connell’s Youngest Daughter
Callie O’Connell is the youngest child of Kevin and Leah O’Connell.
She was born on November 4, 2022, during Kevin’s first season as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.
Her birth was reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune on November 6, 2022.
At the time, the Vikings were preparing to travel to Maryland for a game against the Washington Commanders.
Leah delivered their fourth child on the Friday before the game, and both mother and baby were reported to be doing well.
After confirming that Leah and Callie were healthy, Kevin traveled with the team for Sunday’s game.
Callie’s arrival expanded the O’Connell household to six members.
She is identified by name in the Vikings’ updated coaching biography and other official professional profiles.
How Kevin O’Connell Balances Fatherhood and NFL Coaching
Kevin O’Connell has acknowledged the challenges of balancing the responsibilities of being an NFL head coach with raising four children.
Coaching involves long working hours, frequent travel and considerable pressure during the football season.
However, O’Connell has emphasized the importance of remaining involved in his children’s lives.
During his time with the Los Angeles Rams, he helped coach youth flag football despite having demanding professional responsibilities.
According to Leah, Kevin sometimes traveled directly from Rams practice to his children’s games before returning to the team’s hotel.
These experiences reflected his determination to participate in family activities whenever possible.
O’Connell has also credited his own parents with helping him understand how to balance family responsibilities with a demanding career.
Kevin O’Connell’s Parents
Kevin O’Connell’s parents are Bill O’Connell and Suzanne O’Connell.
Both are identified in the Minnesota Vikings’ official coaching biography.
His father worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), while his mother worked in education.
The couple raised Kevin and his older sister, Kelley, while relocating several times because of Bill’s professional responsibilities.
Kevin O’Connell’s Father – Bill O’Connell
Bill O’Connell is Kevin O’Connell’s father and a retired FBI special agent.
He grew up in Aston, Pennsylvania, and attended St. James High School, where he played defensive back for the football team.
According to a September 2022 report published by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bill was part of the St. James team that won a Philadelphia city football championship in 1972.
His interest in football became an important influence on Kevin during childhood.
Bill also supported the Philadelphia Eagles, passing his enthusiasm for the team to his son.
Kevin grew up watching Eagles games and admired former quarterback Randall Cunningham.
Bill O’Connell’s Career With the FBI
Bill O’Connell spent many years working as a special agent for the FBI.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, his professional assignments included work in New Jersey, Arizona, Tennessee and California.
He also participated in investigations involving organized crime and counterterrorism.
One of the investigations involved evidence connected to the prosecution of New York organized crime leader John Gotti and members of the Gambino crime family.
Bill described his involvement in specialized investigative work that assisted other agents with obtaining important evidence.
His demanding career sometimes required long working hours and frequent travel.
Kevin has explained that his father’s commitment to work helped him understand the responsibilities associated with demanding professions.
How Bill O’Connell Influenced His Son
Bill played an important role in developing Kevin’s interest in football.
During childhood, he took Kevin to Philadelphia Eagles games and introduced him to the traditions surrounding professional football.
His own background as a high school defensive back also provided a connection to competitive sports.
When Kevin began playing quarterback, Bill continued encouraging his athletic development.
Kevin later explained that although his father’s FBI responsibilities sometimes kept him away from home, the time they spent together remained meaningful.
The experience influenced how Kevin approached his own responsibilities as a father and football coach.
Kevin O’Connell’s Mother – Suzanne O’Connell
Suzanne O’Connell is Kevin O’Connell’s mother and a retired educator.
Her identity and professional background are confirmed in the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching biography.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Suzanne grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended Notre Dame High School.
She met Bill O’Connell before the couple began raising their family.
Suzanne worked as a schoolteacher while supporting Kevin and his older sister during childhood.
Because of Bill’s FBI career, the family moved between several locations before settling in Southern California.
Suzanne helped provide stability for the children throughout these relocations.
Suzanne O’Connell’s Influence on Kevin’s Family Life
Kevin has spoken positively about his mother’s influence and the example she provided during his upbringing.
In a 2022 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, he discussed how Leah could relate to his mother because both had experience raising children while their husbands worked demanding schedules.
That shared understanding became particularly important after Kevin began working as an NFL head coach.
Suzanne and Bill have also remained involved in their grandchildren’s lives.
Following their retirement, they spent time in Minnesota and California to maintain connections with both of their adult children and their families.
Kevin O’Connell’s Siblings
Kevin O’Connell has one publicly confirmed sibling, an older sister named Kelley O’Connell.
Her identity is established in the Minnesota Vikings’ official coaching biography.
The team identifies Kelley as an attorney.
Kelley O’Connell – Kevin O’Connell’s Older Sister
Kelley O’Connell is Kevin O’Connell’s older sister.
She grew up alongside Kevin as their family moved between the eastern United States and Southern California.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the siblings spent much of their childhood in the San Diego area.
Kelley pursued a professional career in law and became an attorney.
Her career reflects the family’s strong emphasis on education and professional development.
Although Kevin has become widely recognized for his work in the NFL, Kelley has maintained a more private personal life.
Reliable information about her specific legal practice, marriage and children is limited.
Does Kevin O’Connell Have Brothers?
No brothers are identified in Kevin O’Connell’s official Minnesota Vikings biography.
The team identifies Kelley as his older sister, while established reporting discusses the two siblings growing up together.
Therefore, Kelley remains his only publicly confirmed sibling.
Kevin O’Connell’s Father-in-Law – Kit Lathrop
Kevin O’Connell also has a strong connection to professional football through his father-in-law, Kit Lathrop.
Kit is Leah O’Connell’s father and a former professional football player and coach.
According to the Minnesota Vikings, he played professionally in the NFL and United States Football League between 1978 and 1987.
He later transitioned into coaching, including positions at Arizona Western College and in the Canadian Football League.
In 2000, Kit helped the BC Lions win the Grey Cup championship.
Kevin has expressed appreciation for the football advice and encouragement he received from his father-in-law.
During his introductory press conference with the Vikings in February 2022, he publicly thanked Kit and Leah’s mother, Becki Lathrop, for their support.
Kevin O’Connell’s Family Background and Childhood
Kevin O’Connell was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and spent part of his childhood in New Jersey before moving with his family to Carlsbad, California.
The relocations were connected to his father’s career with the FBI.
Growing up, Kevin developed an interest in sports, especially football and basketball.
His father encouraged his interest in the Philadelphia Eagles, while his parents supported his participation in organized athletics.
O’Connell attended La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, where he developed into a talented quarterback.
He also competed in basketball and became a successful high school athlete.
His football performances attracted attention from several college programs.
He eventually chose San Diego State University, allowing him to continue his education and football career close to home.
Kevin O’Connell’s College and NFL Playing Career
Kevin O’Connell played quarterback for San Diego State University, becoming a four-year team captain.
He completed his college career with 7,689 passing yards and 46 touchdown passes.
His athletic performances established him as an NFL prospect.
The New England Patriots selected O’Connell in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft with the 94th overall pick.
During his professional playing career, he spent time with several organizations, including the Patriots, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers.
Although his playing career did not develop into a long period as an NFL starting quarterback, the experience introduced him to several coaching systems and professional environments.
It also helped him recognize his interest in becoming a coach.
How Kevin O’Connell’s Family Supported His Coaching Career
Following the end of his playing career, O’Connell transitioned into coaching.
He worked with the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Washington organization before joining the Los Angeles Rams.
His wife, Leah, supported him throughout these professional changes.
The couple moved repeatedly as he accepted new coaching responsibilities.
In Los Angeles, O’Connell served as offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay.
He helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 NFL season.
Shortly afterward, the Minnesota Vikings named him their head coach on February 16, 2022.
His parents, wife, children and in-laws attended his introductory press conference.
The family celebrated the achievement together after years of relocations, career changes and professional challenges.
O’Connell later guided Minnesota to a 13-win season in 2022 and a 14-win regular season in 2024.
His work during the 2024 season earned him the Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year award.
He signed a multiyear contract extension with Minnesota in January 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kevin O’Connell’s Family
Who is Kevin O’Connell’s wife?
Kevin O’Connell’s wife is Leah O’Connell, formerly Leah Lathrop. She played college volleyball at San Diego State University, where the couple first met.
Is Kevin O’Connell married?
Yes. Kevin O’Connell is married to his college sweetheart, Leah. They married around 2010 during his NFL playing career.
How did Kevin O’Connell meet his wife?
Kevin met Leah at San Diego State University. Both were college athletes, with Kevin playing quarterback and Leah competing in volleyball.
How many children does Kevin O’Connell have?
Kevin O’Connell has four children with his wife, Leah: Kaden, Quinn, Kolten and Callie.
Who are Kevin O’Connell’s sons?
His sons are Kaden and Kolten O’Connell. Kaden is the oldest child, while Kolten is the younger son.
Who are Kevin O’Connell’s daughters?
His daughters are Quinn and Callie O’Connell. Callie was born in November 2022.
When was Kevin O’Connell’s youngest child born?
His youngest daughter, Callie, was born on November 4, 2022, shortly before a Vikings game against the Washington Commanders.
Who is Kevin O’Connell’s father?
His father is Bill O’Connell, a retired FBI special agent who previously played high school football in Pennsylvania.
What did Kevin O’Connell’s father do for a living?
Bill O’Connell worked for the FBI and participated in investigations involving organized crime and national security.
Who is Kevin O’Connell’s mother?
His mother is Suzanne O’Connell, a retired educator who raised Kevin and his older sister.
Does Kevin O’Connell have siblings?
Yes. Kevin O’Connell has one publicly confirmed sibling, an older sister named Kelley O’Connell.
Who is Kelley O’Connell?
Kelley O’Connell is Kevin’s older sister and an attorney. The siblings grew up together in several states before their family settled in Southern California.
Does Kevin O’Connell have a brother?
No brothers are identified in his official Vikings coaching biography.
Who is Kevin O’Connell’s father-in-law?
His father-in-law is Kit Lathrop, a former professional football player and coach. Kit is the father of Kevin’s wife, Leah.
Where is Kevin O’Connell’s family from?
Kevin was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in New Jersey and Southern California. His parents also have strong family connections to the Philadelphia area.
Did Kevin O’Connell play in the NFL?
Yes. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft after playing college football at San Diego State.
When did Kevin O’Connell become the Vikings’ head coach?
The Minnesota Vikings appointed Kevin O’Connell as their head coach on February 16, 2022.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
