Last Updated on October 30, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Todd Monken is an American football coach who serves as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 5, 1966, in Wheaton, Illinois, Monken has built an extensive coaching career spanning college football and the NFL. He was appointed Cleveland’s 19th full-time head coach on January 28, 2026.
Todd Monken comes from a family with a remarkable history in American football coaching. His wife is Terri Monken, whom he married in 1991, and the couple has one son named Travis Monken. His parents were the late Robert “Bob” Monken and Jo Ellen Monken, while his two brothers are Tony Monken and Ted Monken. Several relatives, including his cousin Jeff Monken, have also established careers in football coaching.
Todd Monken’s Wife: Terri Monken
Todd Monken is married to Terri Monken, who has accompanied him throughout much of his professional football coaching career.
The couple married in 1991 after dating for approximately six years. Their relationship has endured numerous relocations as Todd pursued coaching opportunities at universities and professional football organizations across the United States.
In a September 2023 profile published by the Baltimore Ravens, Terri discussed how she first met her husband and the challenges of being married to someone whose professional life revolves around football.
According to the interview, Todd and Terri first met at a funeral during the 1980s.
Terri recalled being attracted to his blue eyes and the emotional side of his personality. She also quickly realized how important football was to him.
The two began dating and eventually married while Todd was establishing his coaching career.
By the time they celebrated their wedding in 1991, Todd was working as a graduate assistant at the University of Notre Dame.
Terri subsequently accompanied him as he accepted coaching positions at Eastern Michigan, Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma State, LSU and several NFL teams.
In the 2023 Ravens interview, she revealed that the couple had moved approximately 13 times during their marriage.
Despite the frequent changes in location, their relationship remained an important source of stability throughout Todd’s professional journey.
Terri has also supported her husband’s ambition to become an NFL head coach.
That dream became a reality in January 2026 when the Cleveland Browns appointed Monken to lead the organization.
During his introductory press conference on February 3, 2026, Todd publicly thanked his wife for supporting him throughout their relationship.
He explained that they had been together for approximately 40 years and married for 34 years at that point.
His comments highlighted the sacrifices associated with a career involving long working hours, demanding responsibilities and repeated relocations.
Terri also celebrated the appointment alongside their son, Travis, who subsequently joined Cleveland’s coaching staff.
How Did Todd Monken Meet His Wife?
Todd Monken met his wife, Terri, at a funeral during the 1980s.
The unusual circumstances of their first meeting were documented in a detailed Baltimore Ravens feature published in September 2023.
Terri recalled being drawn to Todd’s appearance and his willingness to show emotion.
She also discovered almost immediately that football was a central part of his life.
After approximately six years together, they married in 1991.
Since then, their marriage has continued through decades of college and professional football coaching.
Who Is Terri Monken?
Terri Monken is best known publicly as the wife of Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken.
Although she has occasionally participated in interviews about her husband’s career, she has maintained a relatively private personal life.
Her professional occupation, educational background and full birth details have not been consistently established in official NFL biographies.
However, her involvement in Todd’s coaching journey is extensively documented through official Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns reporting.
She is also the mother of their son, Travis Monken, who has followed his father into professional football coaching.
Todd Monken’s Children
Todd Monken and his wife, Terri, have one publicly confirmed child, a son named Travis Monken.
Their son’s identity is confirmed in official biographies published by the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and University of Georgia.
Like his father and several other relatives, Travis has pursued a career in football coaching.
Travis Monken: Todd Monken’s Son
Travis Monken is Todd and Terri Monken’s son and an American football coach who serves as an offensive analyst for the Cleveland Browns.
His appointment to Cleveland’s coaching staff in March 2026 continued a family tradition that spans three generations of football coaches.
Before joining the Browns, Travis began developing his coaching experience at Oklahoma State University.
According to Cleveland’s official coaching staff announcement, he worked as a student assistant with the Cowboys from 2020 through 2023.
His responsibilities primarily involved assisting with the development of tight ends and fullbacks.
The experience allowed him to learn about offensive strategy, player development and the daily responsibilities of a college football coaching staff.
After leaving Oklahoma State, Travis joined Purdue University.
He spent two seasons with the Boilermakers working as an offensive quality control coach.
His duties involved contributing to offensive preparation, film study and other aspects of the coaching operation.
In March 2026, Todd Monken hired Travis as an offensive analyst with the Cleveland Browns.
The appointment gave father and son an opportunity to work together at the NFL level.
During a May 2026 press conference, Todd described hiring his son as a meaningful experience for the family.
He also acknowledged how special the opportunity was for Terri, who could now see her husband and son working within the same organization.
The decision represented another milestone in a family with a longstanding tradition of football coaching.
Is Travis Monken Married?
During his introductory press conference as Cleveland Browns head coach on February 3, 2026, Todd Monken publicly identified a woman named Hannah as Travis’s fiancée.
He thanked Travis and Hannah while acknowledging the family members who had supported his coaching career.
However, no more recent reliable public announcement reviewed for this article confirms whether the couple has subsequently married.
Therefore, Hannah is publicly documented as Travis Monken’s fiancée in February 2026, while their current marital status has not been independently reconfirmed.
Todd Monken’s Parents
Todd Monken was born to Robert August Monken, commonly known as Bob Monken, and Jo Ellen Monken, whose maiden name was Stewart.
Both parents worked in education and helped raise their three sons in Wheaton, Illinois.
His father became a respected high school football coach, while his mother worked as an elementary school teacher.
The couple married on August 18, 1962, and remained together until Jo Ellen’s death in 2023.
Todd Monken’s Father: Robert “Bob” Monken
Todd Monken’s father was Robert August Monken, a longtime American football coach and educator who became an influential figure in Illinois high school athletics.
Bob was born on September 4, 1937, in Mascoutah, Illinois.
He attended Cathedral High School in Belleville before graduating from Southern Illinois University in 1958.
He began his teaching and coaching career at St. Philip High School in Battle Creek, Michigan.
During that period, he met Jo Ellen Stewart, who later became his wife.
After marrying in 1962, the couple moved to Illinois and began raising their family.
Bob subsequently became the head football coach at Lake Park High School in Roselle, Illinois.
He held the position for approximately 30 years while also working as an educator and department head.
His responsibilities included teaching physical education, health and driver’s education.
Over his coaching career, Bob developed a reputation for emphasizing discipline, preparation and character development.
He was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1990.
His influence extended to his sons, who grew up attending football practices and watching him prepare teams for competition.
In a September 2023 Baltimore Ravens interview, Bob recalled that Todd began watching football film with him when he was approximately four years old.
After high school games, father and son sometimes collected game recordings and watched them together.
Todd also accompanied his father to football practices, where he observed coaches and players working to improve their performances.
These childhood experiences helped develop Todd’s understanding of the game and influenced his decision to pursue coaching.
Bob eventually retired from his longtime position at Lake Park in 1994 but continued coaching at other Illinois schools.
In recognition of his contributions, Lake Park named its football field Bob Monken Field.
Bob died on August 4, 2024, at the age of 86.
His obituary confirmed that he was survived by his three sons, Tony, Todd and Ted, and several grandchildren.
During his first Cleveland Browns head coaching press conference in February 2026, Todd became emotional while remembering both parents and thanking them for their influence.
Todd Monken’s Mother: Jo Ellen Monken
Todd Monken’s mother was Jo Ellen Monken, née Stewart, an American elementary school teacher who devoted much of her life to education and family.
She was born on August 24, 1935, in Indiana to Charles and Evelyn Stewart.
Jo Ellen grew up in Augusta, Michigan, and attended Galesburg-Augusta High School.
She subsequently studied at Western Michigan University, graduating in 1956 with a degree in elementary education and a minor in art.
Following graduation, she worked as a teacher in Washington, D.C., before accepting another teaching position in Battle Creek, Michigan.
It was there that she met Bob Monken.
The couple married in 1962 and later settled in Illinois.
Jo Ellen continued teaching while raising her three sons, Tony, Todd and Ted.
She temporarily stepped away from teaching to focus on her children before eventually returning to the profession.
Her teaching career concluded in 1996 at Evergreen School in West Chicago.
According to her obituary, Jo Ellen particularly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and traveling with her husband.
She also played an important role in Todd’s childhood.
In interviews about his upbringing, Todd recalled how his mother supported his interest in football, including helping him dress as a football player for Halloween.
Although his father introduced him to football coaching, Jo Ellen provided another example of the importance of education and personal development.
In a 2026 interview with ESPN, Todd credited both parents with giving him a supportive upbringing built around discipline and responsibility.
Jo Ellen died on May 5, 2023, at the age of 87.
Her obituary identified Todd, Tony and Ted as her three sons and confirmed her marriage to Bob Monken.
Todd Monken’s Siblings
Todd Monken has two brothers named Tony Monken and Ted Monken.
Their identities and birth years are confirmed in their father’s obituary, published by Hultgren Funeral Home in August 2024.
Tony was born in 1963, Todd in 1966 and Ted in 1969.
All three brothers followed their father’s interest in American football, although their coaching careers developed at different levels.
Tony Monken: Todd Monken’s Older Brother
Tony Monken is Todd Monken’s older brother and an experienced American high school football coach.
Born in 1963, Tony grew up in Illinois alongside Todd and their younger brother, Ted.
He followed their father’s coaching tradition and became involved in high school football programs.
Tony became the inaugural head football coach at Vernon Hills High School in Illinois when the school established its program.
He helped develop the team during its early years and subsequently returned to the school as an assistant coach.
According to a November 2025 report published by the Daily Herald, Tony also established the Vernon Hills Football Alumni Association and Football Hall of Fame.
The organization was designed to recognize former players and preserve the history of the school’s football program.
His involvement demonstrated a longstanding commitment to developing young athletes and maintaining connections with former players.
Tony also has a family of his own.
His parents’ obituaries identify his wife as Jean Monken.
Although Todd eventually pursued opportunities in college and professional football, the two brothers maintained connections through their shared coaching background.
Ted Monken: Todd Monken’s Younger Brother
Ted Monken is Todd Monken’s younger brother and another member of the family’s extensive football coaching tradition.
Born in 1969, Ted grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, alongside Todd and Tony.
He developed an interest in football through their father, Bob, who coached at Lake Park High School.
Ted subsequently pursued a career in education and high school football coaching.
His coaching experience includes head coaching positions at St. Charles East High School and West Chicago Community High School.
He has also worked as a defensive coordinator at Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.
The Glenbard South football program’s official coaching staff page identifies Ted as a varsity defensive coordinator and educator.
According to the school’s biography, he has worked as a mathematics and physical education teacher and accumulated extensive football coaching experience.
Ted’s wife is identified as Trina Monken in his parents’ obituaries.
He also remained close to Todd during important career milestones.
In February 2026, Todd thanked both Tony and Ted during his introductory press conference with the Cleveland Browns, acknowledging that they had traveled to attend the event.
Todd Monken’s Cousin: Jeff Monken
Jeff Monken is Todd Monken’s cousin and the head football coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point, commonly known as Army.
Jeff is the son of Mike Monken, one of Bob Monken’s four brothers.
Like Todd’s father, Mike spent decades coaching high school football in Illinois.
He worked at Joliet East and Joliet Central High Schools for more than 30 years.
Jeff pursued a college football coaching career and became the head coach at Georgia Southern in 2010.
In 2014, he joined Army as head coach.
Jeff has maintained a close relationship with Todd, reflecting the family’s shared interest in football.
When Cleveland appointed Todd as head coach in January 2026, Jeff publicly congratulated his cousin and expressed confidence in his ability to lead an NFL organization.
During an interview published by the Browns, Jeff described the Monken family’s coaching history as an important source of pride.
The family’s legacy includes five brothers who became high school football coaches, all of whom were inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
How Todd Monken’s Family Influenced His Coaching Career
Todd Monken’s football career began in Wheaton, Illinois, where he grew up surrounded by coaches, players and football traditions.
His father, Bob, regularly brought him to Lake Park High School practices and introduced him to film study.
His two brothers and several cousins also developed interests in the sport.
Todd attended Wheaton North High School, where he played quarterback and baseball.
He eventually played college football at Knox College, earning three varsity letters as a quarterback.
He completed his bachelor’s degree in economics in 1989 and subsequently earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University in 1991.
Monken began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Grand Valley State in 1989.
He later worked at Notre Dame, Eastern Michigan, Louisiana Tech, Oklahoma State and LSU before receiving NFL coaching opportunities.
His first NFL coaching position came with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as wide receivers coach from 2007 through 2010.
He returned to college football before becoming head coach at Southern Mississippi in 2013.
Monken subsequently worked as offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns.
In 2020, he joined the University of Georgia, helping the Bulldogs win consecutive national championships during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.
He returned to the NFL in 2023 as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens.
During his tenure, Baltimore developed one of the league’s most productive offenses, and quarterback Lamar Jackson won the NFL Most Valuable Player award for the 2023 season.
On January 28, 2026, Cleveland appointed Monken as its head coach.
The opportunity fulfilled a professional ambition he had pursued throughout his coaching career.
During his introductory press conference, he thanked his wife, son, brothers and late parents for their support.
His son Travis’s subsequent appointment to Cleveland’s coaching staff also extended the family’s involvement in football into a third generation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Todd Monken’s Family
Who is Todd Monken’s wife?
Todd Monken’s wife is Terri Monken. The couple married in 1991 after dating for approximately six years.
How long has Todd Monken been married?
Todd and Terri Monken married in 1991. During his February 2026 press conference, Todd said they had been married for 34 years.
How did Todd Monken meet his wife?
Todd Monken met Terri at a funeral during the 1980s, according to a 2023 interview published by the Baltimore Ravens.
How many children does Todd Monken have?
Todd Monken has one publicly confirmed child, a son named Travis Monken.
Who is Travis Monken?
Travis Monken is Todd and Terri Monken’s son. He joined the Cleveland Browns as an offensive analyst in March 2026 after coaching at Oklahoma State and Purdue.
Is Todd Monken’s son married?
At his February 2026 introductory press conference, Todd identified a woman named Hannah as Travis’s fiancée. A subsequent marriage has not been independently confirmed.
Who is Todd Monken’s father?
His father was Robert August “Bob” Monken, a longtime football coach at Lake Park High School in Illinois. He died on August 4, 2024.
Who is Todd Monken’s mother?
His mother was Jo Ellen Stewart Monken, an elementary school teacher who died on May 5, 2023.
How many siblings does Todd Monken have?
Todd Monken has two brothers, Tony Monken and Ted Monken.
Who is Todd Monken’s older brother?
His older brother is Tony Monken, a longtime Illinois high school football coach associated with Vernon Hills High School.
Who is Todd Monken’s younger brother?
His younger brother is Ted Monken, an Illinois high school football coach who has worked at St. Charles East, West Chicago and Glenbard South.
Is Jeff Monken related to Todd Monken?
Yes. Jeff Monken, the head football coach at Army West Point, is Todd Monken’s cousin. Their fathers, Bob and Mike Monken, were brothers.
Where is Todd Monken’s family from?
Todd Monken grew up in Wheaton, Illinois, where his father was a longtime high school football coach and his mother worked in education.
Which NFL team does Todd Monken coach?
Todd Monken is the head coach of the Cleveland Browns. The team appointed him on January 28, 2026.
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.
