Speakers

At just 37 years old, Kevin O’Connell has played in the NFL, dabbled in broadcasting, and transitioned to head season as a head coach for the Minnesota Vikings. Starting his professional career as an NFL quarterback, O’Connell was Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick’s earliest quarterback selection in any NFL draft. Shortly into his first season playing for Belichick, O’Connell recognized his innate desire to coach. Having now worked with a wide range of players, O’Connell is incredibly well-seasoned in both life and career experiences. “He has always used every opportunity to get better, study the game, and improve his own abilities so that he could use that to encourage, motivate, and better those around him,” says his wife, Leah.

Kevin O’Connell ensures that every individual he meets is treated with the same level of sincerity and respect. An incredibly genuine, optimistic individual who helps create a high-energy, united team environment, he understands the characteristics of a coach that are critical to leading a team that wins at the highest level.

Off the field, Kevin and Leah O’Connell are parents of three: two sons, Kaden and Kolten, and their daughter, Quinn. Kevin is also a proud advocate for childhood cancer. For the past three consecutive seasons, he has worn custom-painted shoes for the NFL’s My Cause My Cleats initiative to highlight nonprofits that support children battling cancer and fundraise for pediatric cancer research.