Jaguars associate strength coach Kevin Maxen became the first publicly-known male coach in American men’s professional sports to come out as gay Thursday.
Maxen spoke with Outsports to share his journey and why he’s choosing to come out publicly.
“I don’t want to feel like I have to think about it anymore,” Maxen said. “I don’t want to feel like I have to lie about who I am seeing, or why I am living with someone else. 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, who has been with his partner Nick for over two years, expressed that the continued support from the people around him helped him feel comfortable to share his news.
“It wasn’t until recently—and with the immense love and support of my family, my friends, colleagues and peers, and the courage and sacrifice from my partner—that I realized I have the right and responsibility to love and be loved, and that maybe sharing this will hopefully give someone else the strength to accept their own life and take control of their own story,” Maxen said.
Maxen also noted that he reached out to Carl Nassib, who is the only known gay NFL player in the league right now, back in Feb. 2022 about what steps he should take to come out publicly.
A few women who coach in men’s professional sports have come out in recent years. Additionally, Curt Miller—head coach of the WNBA’s Sparks—has come out, but Maxen is still the only known coach to do so in men’s sports.
Maxen played collegiate football as a linebacker at the Division III Western Connecticut State University. He interned on the coaching staff at Iowa and Army, then worked at Baylor and Vanderbilt before working in the NFL.
