Who Is Kevin O’Connell’s Wife? Everything You Need to Know About Leah O’Connell

Three days after his Super Bowl LVI victory in 2022, as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams, Kevin O’Connell was hired as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. In his first season with the Vikings, O’Connell led the Vikings to a 13–4 record, tying Matt LaFleur and Jim Harbaugh for the second-most wins for a rookie head coach in NFL history. Alongside, he led the Vikings to win the NFC North for the first time since 2017.

Kevin’s journey from backup quarterback to head coach has been anything but a straight line. He’s donned the jerseys of the Patriots, Jets, Dolphins, and Chargers before taking up the coaching job. While he has been calling the shots for the Vikings from the sidelines, who is doing the same in his family?

Kevin’s anchor in his life beyond the gridiron comes in the form of his wife, Leah O’Connell. Leah’s been quarterbacking their family life since 2010. Leah isn’t just cheering from the stands, though. She’s got her own playbook for success.

A San Diego State University alum, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication, Leah showcased her athletic prowess on the volleyball court from 2005 to 2009. After graduation, Leah didn’t hang up her competitive spirit.

While Kevin was bouncing around NFL rosters, Leah was building her impressive resume. For over a decade, she’s been a supplement sales specialist at Panacea Scientific. But that’s not all – Leah’s also been flexing her muscles as a fitness professional at The Bay Club Company since 2013. Being an NFL wife is no joke, given the rigorous grind of the league. But Leah has only support and praise to offer to Kevin. And she thinks the same traits that make him a great coach, make him a good husband as well.

“From the day I met him, there’s many wonderful words that I use to describe him. He’s kind, he’s humble, he’s respectful, he’s consistent, he’s selfless. All these amazing and tangible qualities that you hope for and a husband and father and coach and anybody that’s going to be contributing to building up and encouraging other people,” Leah had said about Kevin in 2022 in a clip uploaded by the Vikings’ Facebook.

She had also revealed that they met during Leah’s freshman year. Kevin was a redshirt sophomore at that point and Leah was playing volleyball for San Diego. Thay started dating as Leah got into her junior year and Kevin into his senior year. Through each of Kevin’s transition, Leah has been there, adapting to new cities and challenges with the agility of a wide receiver dodging tackles.

The O’Connells’ journey through the NFL and parenthood

Life in the NFL isn’t all glamour and glory. It’s a constant juggling act, especially when you’re raising a family. The O’Connells have four children – sons Kaden and Kolten, and daughters Quinn and Callie. Their youngest, Callie, joined the team in November 2022, right in the thick of Kevin’s first season as head coach.

Managing a household of six while your partner is deep in game plans and player meetings? That’s a feat worthy of a Super Bowl ring. The family currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they moved after Kevin took the Vikings’ head coaching job in 2022.

Kevin’s appreciation for Leah’s support shines through in the little moments. Remember the time he tried to use his NFL contract to avoid dancing at their wedding? As he said to ESPN this month, “I tried to use that clause to get out of dancing at my own wedding. It didn’t necessarily work, and I was able to make it through without any injury.” This is the funny partnership that has always held strong through NFL careers of all kinds and keeps them closer than ever.

While Kevin’s job is very public, the O’Connells lead a quiet life off the field. Leah is not active on social media, as she prefers staying away from publicity. That privacy gives one more dimension to their strong family unit since they can find their way around the hardships of an NFL life on their own conditions. With all that, Leah remains Kevin’s home MVP while he is leading the Vikings from the sideline.