Last Updated on November 14, 2026 by Valentim Tereshkova
Jason Maas is an American professional football coach and former quarterback who serves as the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on November 19, 1975, in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, United States, Maas has enjoyed a successful career as both a player and a coach.
Beyond football, Maas is a husband and father of two children. His wife is Marjean Maas, and their children are a daughter named Makaela and a son known as Bear.
His family history also includes a significant childhood tragedy. His father, Gary Alan Maas, was a police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1986, when Jason was just 10 years old.
Maas has two publicly identified sisters, Stephanie and Letty, also known as Leticia. He has spoken about how losing his father and receiving support from his mother, stepfather, and close family friends shaped his life.
Jason Maas’ Wife: Marjean Maas
Jason Maas is married to Marjean Maas, an entrepreneur with a background in exercise science, sports psychology, and health and wellness.
Their marriage has been documented in interviews and Canadian sports reporting, including a July 22, 2016, Global News feature about Marjean’s life as the wife of the Edmonton football team’s head coach.
Marjean has maintained professional ambitions of her own while supporting Jason’s football career and raising their children.
In November 2018, she appeared on the podcast “The Inner Circle with Carrie Doll,” where she discussed marriage, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the challenges of being part of a professional football family.
How Did Jason Maas Meet His Wife?
Jason Maas and Marjean have an unusual relationship story involving a chance encounter at a traffic light.
During her November 23, 2018, podcast appearance, Marjean discussed how she met Jason and how their relationship developed.
She recalled that their first date involved playing nine holes of golf and basketball at her gym.
The couple subsequently married during an impromptu trip to Las Vegas.
Although their wedding story was discussed publicly, the exact date of their marriage has not been independently established in the sources reviewed.
What Does Jason Maas’ Wife Do?
Marjean Maas has experience in business, health, fitness, and sports psychology.
She was involved in developing the women’s clothing business Bella Maas Boutique in the Edmonton area.
During her 2018 interview, Marjean discussed the challenges of establishing the business while raising two children and supporting her husband’s football career.
She emphasized the importance of hard work, customer service, and developing an identity beyond being married to a professional athlete or coach.
Although the boutique remains associated with the Edmonton area, its current website identifies Lindsay Hedstrom as its owner. Marjean’s present involvement in the business has not been independently confirmed.
Jason Maas’ Children
Jason Maas and his wife, Marjean, have two publicly identified children: a daughter named Makaela and a son known as Bear.
His children have been mentioned in interviews about his professional football career and family life.
Maas has also discussed the importance of maintaining close relationships with his children despite the demanding schedule associated with coaching in the CFL.
Jason Maas’ Daughter: Makaela
Makaela is Jason Maas’ daughter.
Her name was confirmed in an August 8, 2025, article published by the Journal de Montréal.
The article featured Jason’s longtime childhood friend, Jake Thrower, who recalled spending time with the Maas family in Edmonton during the early 2000s.
Thrower explained that he stayed in Jason’s basement while playing professional baseball with the Edmonton Trappers, a former Triple-A affiliate of the Montreal Expos.
At the time, Makaela was still a young child.
The account provides a glimpse into the family’s life during Jason’s professional playing career.
However, Makaela’s exact date of birth, education, occupation, and personal relationships have not been reliably established in public reporting.
Jason Maas’ Son: Bear
Bear is Jason Maas’ son and has occasionally appeared alongside his father during Montreal Alouettes activities.
In November 2023, Bear spent time with his father during the team’s Grey Cup preparations in Hamilton, Ontario.
Because his son had a break from school in Alberta, Maas invited him to join the team and experience the atmosphere surrounding one of Canadian football’s most important events.
According to an RDS feature published during the 2023 Grey Cup, Maas described how meaningful it was to have his son nearby.
Bear participated in recreational activities with Alouettes players, including games of pickleball, basketball, and table tennis.
The experience allowed him to see professional athletes interacting and preparing for an important championship.
In January 2025, Maas also revealed that Bear was a supporter of the Kansas City Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
He explained that his son had supported Kansas City before the team’s recent Super Bowl championships.
Although Bear’s relationship with his father is publicly documented, his exact date of birth and full legal name have not been independently confirmed in the reliable reporting reviewed.
Jason Maas’ Parents
Jason Maas’ Father: Gary Alan Maas
Jason Maas’ biological father was Gary Alan Maas, a police officer with the Yuma Police Department in Arizona.
Gary was born in 1957 and previously served in the United States Marine Corps before beginning his law enforcement career.
He spent approximately six years working with the Yuma Police Department.
On April 9, 1986, Gary was killed while responding to a report involving armed suspects at a Greyhound bus depot in Yuma.
He was only 29 years old.
Jason was 10 years old when his father died.
According to the City of Yuma’s official memorial, Gary became the first Yuma police officer killed in the line of duty.
His death had a profound influence on Jason’s childhood.
In a May 12, 2023, interview with the Journal de Québec, Maas discussed how difficult the loss had been and how he eventually learned to focus on positive memories of his father.
He described Gary as an important influence during the first decade of his life.
Although the experience was painful, Maas explained that it contributed to his determination to appreciate life, relationships, and the opportunities available to him.
Gary Alan Maas continues to be honored through memorials recognizing police officers who died while serving their communities.
Jason Maas’ Mother
Jason Maas’ mother played an important role in supporting him after his father’s death.
However, her full name has not been reliably established in the public interviews reviewed.
In May 2023, Maas discussed the support he received from his mother and other family members following the tragedy.
He explained that having a caring mother and supportive people around him helped him manage the emotional difficulties of losing his father.
Although additional details about her occupation, education, and personal background are unavailable, Jason has publicly expressed appreciation for her support during his childhood.
Jason Maas’ Stepfather
Jason Maas has also publicly acknowledged the role of his stepfather.
In the May 2023 interview, he explained that he had a supportive stepfather who helped him during the years following his biological father’s death.
A November 2024 interview published by TVA Sports provided another example of their relationship.
Maas recalled attending a December 27, 2001, NBA game between the Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers with the man he considered his father.
The article clarified that he was referring to his stepfather, who helped raise him after Gary Maas died.
However, his stepfather’s name and professional background have not been independently verified.
Jason Maas’ Siblings
Jason Maas has two publicly identified sisters: Stephanie and Letty (Leticia).
Their relationships were documented in a May 2023 Journal de Québec article discussing the death of their father, Gary Alan Maas.
Jason Maas’ Sister: Stephanie
Stephanie is Jason Maas’ sister.
According to the Journal de Québec, Gary Alan Maas left behind two children, Jason and Stephanie, when he died in April 1986.
The report establishes that Stephanie and Jason shared the same biological father.
However, her exact birth date, occupation, education, and personal relationships have not been independently verified.
Jason Maas’ Half-Sister: Letty (Leticia)
Letty, also known as Leticia Maas, is Jason Maas’ paternal half-sister.
According to reporting published in May 2023, Gary Alan Maas was separated from the mother of Jason and Stephanie when he died.
At that time, Gary’s new partner was pregnant with his daughter, Letty.
Consequently, Letty was born after her father’s death and never had the opportunity to meet him.
Her name also appears in family reflections published on the Officer Down Memorial Page dedicated to Gary Alan Maas.
Although her relationship to Jason is documented, further details about her personal life have not been reliably established.
Does Jason Maas Have Brothers?
There is no verified public information identifying a biological brother of Jason Maas.
However, he has maintained a lifelong friendship with former professional baseball player Jake Thrower, whom he considers part of his extended family.
Jason Maas’ Childhood Friend: Jake Thrower
One of the most important relationships in Jason Maas’ life is his friendship with Jason “Jake” Thrower.
The two met during elementary school in Yuma, Arizona.
Remarkably, they were both born on November 19, 1975.
According to an August 2025 Journal de Montréal feature, their friendship became especially important after the death of Jason’s father.
Jake’s parents, Randy and Gay Thrower, welcomed Jason into their family and offered emotional support.
Maas later described the Throwers as a second family.
Both boys dreamed of becoming professional athletes.
While Jason pursued football, Jake developed a career in professional baseball, including time in the Montreal Expos organization.
The friends reunited in Edmonton in 2003, when Jake was playing baseball for the Edmonton Trappers and Jason was playing football for the Edmonton Eskimos.
Thrower temporarily stayed with Jason and his young family.
Their enduring friendship illustrates how relationships beyond biological relatives helped Maas overcome difficulties during childhood.
How Jason Maas’ Family Influenced His Coaching Philosophy
The death of his father and the support he received afterward have influenced Jason Maas’ approach to leadership.
During interviews in 2023, he emphasized the importance of appreciating family relationships and making time for loved ones.
These experiences also influenced the family-oriented environment he established with the Montreal Alouettes.
Players and coaches have described an atmosphere in which relatives are welcome at team facilities and certain family responsibilities are accommodated.
Maas demonstrated this philosophy when he invited his son Bear to spend time with the team during the 2023 Grey Cup preparations.
His approach reflects the support he received from his mother, stepfather, and the Thrower family during his own childhood.
Jason Maas’ Football Career
Jason Maas was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, before growing up in Yuma, Arizona.
He became a standout quarterback at Yuma’s high school football level and subsequently attended the University of Oregon.
After college, he entered professional football in 1999 with the Baltimore Ravens before joining the Canadian Football League.
He spent much of his playing career with the Edmonton Eskimos, winning Grey Cup championships in 2003 and 2005.
Following his retirement, he transitioned into coaching.
His coaching career included positions with the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, Edmonton Eskimos, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
On December 17, 2022, the Montreal Alouettes named Maas the 27th head coach in franchise history.
In his first season, he led Montreal to victory in the 2023 Grey Cup.
He was subsequently named the CFL Coach of the Year for the 2024 season.
On September 1, 2026, Montreal announced a two-year contract extension keeping him with the organization through the 2030 season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jason Maas’ Family
Who is Jason Maas’ wife?
Jason Maas’ wife is Marjean Maas, an entrepreneur with experience in fitness, sports psychology, and business.
How did Jason Maas meet his wife?
Marjean discussed meeting Jason through a chance encounter involving a traffic light. Their first date included golf and basketball, and they later married during a trip to Las Vegas.
Does Jason Maas have children?
Yes. Jason Maas and Marjean have two publicly identified children, a daughter named Makaela and a son known as Bear.
Who is Jason Maas’ daughter?
His daughter is Makaela, whose name was confirmed in an August 2025 Journal de Montréal feature.
Who is Jason Maas’ son?
His son is known as Bear. He has appeared with his father during Montreal Alouettes football activities and is a Kansas City Chiefs supporter.
Who is Jason Maas’ father?
His biological father was Gary Alan Maas, a police officer who served with the Yuma Police Department in Arizona.
What happened to Jason Maas’ father?
Gary Alan Maas was shot and killed while responding to an incident at a Greyhound bus depot in Yuma, Arizona, on April 9, 1986. Jason was 10 years old at the time.
Who is Jason Maas’ mother?
Jason Maas has publicly praised his mother for supporting him after his father’s death, but her name has not been independently verified in the sources reviewed.
Did Jason Maas have a stepfather?
Yes. He has acknowledged having a supportive stepfather who helped raise him after his biological father’s death.
Does Jason Maas have siblings?
Yes. Jason Maas has two publicly identified sisters, Stephanie and Letty (Leticia). Letty is his paternal half-sister.
Is Jake Thrower Jason Maas’ brother?
No biological relationship has been established. Jake Thrower is Jason Maas’ longtime childhood friend, whom he considers part of his extended family.
Where does Jason Maas’ family live?
Published biographical accounts have identified Sherwood Park, Alberta, as the family’s offseason home. Maas has also spent time in Montreal during the CFL season. Their precise current living arrangements have not been independently confirmed.
What team does Jason Maas coach?
Jason Maas is the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. His September 2026 contract extension runs through the 2030 CFL season.
Valentim Tereshkova is a sports journalist and NFL analyst specializing in team dynamics, scheme breakdowns, and league-wide trends. Covering everything from offseason roster construction and Draft developments to Sunday game plans and Super Bowl contenders, he delivers clear, sharp commentary on the gridiron. Valentim combines stat-driven analysis with a passion for football storytelling to give readers an expert look into the AFC and NFC.
