Who is Kevin Maxen? The Jacksonville Jaguars assistant strength and conditioning coach is in the news for making history for the NFL and all U.S. Sports. Who’s the man behind all the momentum?
Who Is Kevin Maxen?
Maxen has a twin, Willie Maxen. The twins have always been close, raised by their mother, Heather. Kevin credits her for her dedication to motherhood while maintaining a full-time job as a teacher.
Maxen has been a football athlete since his teen years at Pomperaug High School in Connecticut. He attended Western Connecticut State University, playing as a linebacker and captaining the team. His strong leadership and work ethic would help him in his next venture.
Maxen’s Coaching Career
Maxen’s coaching career began in 2019 at Baylor University, where he worked as a strength and conditioning coach. He then took coaching gigs at various junior high and high schools for a few years.
Kevin’s talents then caught the attention of the Jaguars, and they brought him on as an associate strength coach in 2021. He has been thriving ever since, helping the players perform at their best.
Maxen Makes History
The Jaguars coach made history when he came out as gay in July 2023. Maxen is the first male American men’s pro sports league coach to do so. It wasn’t an overnight decision; Maxen told Outsports that it has been a long journey, but with the support of his family, friends, and loving partner Nick, he has the strength to be open and live without fear.
Maxen was quoted as saying, “I want to be vocal in support of people living how they want to live, but I also want to just live and not feel fear about how people will react.”
Maxen feels that the support he is getting from the country, the NFL, and specifically his team is “out of this world.” Jaguars owner Shad Khan has been extremely outspoken with his support for the coach. ESPN quoted Khan as saying, “Kevin is a Jacksonville Jaguar through and through and a key member of our football team and community.”
Former players Maxen has coached have been vocal in their support, including former Jaguars center Brandon Linder. Also coached by Maxen, Dylan Calo from Connecticut tweeted his support.
Had the honor to play for Coach Kev. He was someone who believed in me when not many other coaches did. Pushed me to become a better player & more importantly better person. A TRUE role model of mine and epitome of what a coach should be. @Coach_Kev_ #TDG #WRP #OFBK #TheBest https://t.co/4xZkDLFgBb
— Dylan Calo (@CoachCaloFB) July 20, 2023
Coach Maxen is excited that he can stop thinking about hiding who he is and give everything he has toward helping the Jags win the Super Bowl.