Mike McCarthy Wife Jessica Kress: All About His Marriage, Children and Family
Mike McCarthy has spent decades in the NFL, coaching some of the biggest teams and players in professional football. But away from the sidelines, his life revolves around a large blended family and his wife, Jessica Kress McCarthy.
McCarthy and Jessica have been married since 2008, and together they have built a family that includes five children. Their household combines children from both of their previous marriages with the two daughters they share.
Now that McCarthy has taken over as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, attention has naturally turned toward the family that will be making another major move with him.
For Jessica, however, life with an NFL coach has never been only about football. She has maintained her own interests, supported their children and worked alongside her husband through the McCarthy Family Foundation.
Who Is Mike McCarthy’s Wife Jessica Kress?
Jessica Kress is the wife of Mike McCarthy and has been an important part of his life throughout his coaching career.
Jessica was born on February 9, 1972, and grew up in Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin and later worked as an elementary school teacher at a school near Lambeau Field.
Her connection to Green Bay became especially significant because Mike was coaching the Packers during the period when their relationship developed.
Jessica has also pursued her interest in art, giving her a life and career interests outside of football. While her husband has spent much of his professional life in the public eye, Jessica has generally maintained a lower profile.
Still, she has occasionally spoken publicly about their family life and what it is like to live with someone whose career revolves around football.
When Did Mike McCarthy and Jessica Kress Get Married?
Mike and Jessica married on March 15, 2008, in Arizona.
Both had been married before, so their marriage brought together two families and eventually created a large blended household.
Jessica was previously married to William Kress, who was connected to the Green Bay Packers’ board of directors. She had two sons from that marriage.
Mike also had a previous marriage to Christine, and they share a daughter, Alexandra.
After Mike and Jessica married, their family continued to grow with the arrival of their two daughters, Gabrielle and Isabella.
The result is a blended family of five children.
Mike and Jessica Have Two Daughters Together
Mike and Jessica are parents to two daughters, Gabrielle and Isabella.
The girls grew up during some of the busiest years of their father’s coaching career. That meant moving between different cities and experiencing the unusual lifestyle that comes with having an NFL head coach as a parent.
Despite the demands of the profession, family has remained a major priority for Mike and Jessica.
Jessica has previously discussed how different Mike can be when he is away from football. At home, she has described him as more relaxed and family focused rather than constantly thinking about game plans and coaching decisions.
That separation between work and home has helped the family maintain a sense of normal life despite the attention surrounding Mike’s career.
Mike McCarthy Has a Daughter Named Alexandra
Mike’s oldest child is his daughter Alexandra, who is also known as Alex.
Alexandra has pursued a career in entertainment and has worked as a model, actress, producer and entrepreneur. She studied journalism at the University of Kansas and also completed a minor in business.
After graduating in 2014, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Her work has included acting, producing, modeling and television and commercial appearances.
Alexandra has also been involved with the McCarthy Family Foundation, connecting her professional interests with the family’s charitable work.
Growing up in a blended family meant that Alexandra spent time moving between different homes and cities as her father’s coaching career developed. She has described her upbringing as being part of a large family with siblings and a father whose job required frequent changes in location.
The McCarthy Family Is Larger Than Most NFL Households
One of the defining parts of Mike and Jessica’s family story is the size of their blended household.
Together, the couple has five children. Jessica’s two sons, Jack and George, are part of the family, along with Mike’s daughter Alexandra and their two daughters, Gabrielle and Isabella.
That means the McCarthy household has included children at very different stages of life, from adults building their own careers to teenagers growing up under the spotlight of an NFL coaching family.
The family dynamic has required plenty of adjustment over the years, particularly as Mike moved from one coaching position to another.
Rather than treating football as the center of everything at home, Jessica and Mike have emphasized family time and maintaining a normal home environment.
Jessica Kress Has a Strong Connection to Education and Art
Before becoming widely known as an NFL coach’s wife, Jessica had her own professional interests.
She worked as an elementary school teacher, a role that gave her experience working with children and families. Her background in education has also been an interesting contrast to the football world surrounding her husband.
Jessica has also developed an interest in art.
While Mike’s career has made him a familiar face to football fans, Jessica has generally preferred a quieter life. Her public appearances have mostly focused on family, charitable work and supporting her husband.
She has occasionally given interviews about their relationship and family, providing a glimpse into what life is like away from the football field.
Jessica and Mike Support the McCarthy Family Foundation
The McCarthy family has also been involved in philanthropy through the McCarthy Family Foundation.
Mike and Jessica have worked together with the foundation, which supports community initiatives and charitable projects.
Their children have also been involved in the family’s philanthropic efforts.
For the McCarthys, the foundation provides a way to give back while also teaching their children about community involvement and helping other people.
The family’s charitable work has become another part of their life outside football.
What Does Jessica Think About Mike Away From Football?
One of the more interesting details about Mike and Jessica’s relationship is the difference between Mike the coach and Mike at home.
NFL coaching is an intense profession. Coaches spend enormous amounts of time studying opponents, preparing game plans, managing players and dealing with the pressure that comes with every season.
Jessica has explained that Mike does not simply carry that coaching personality into the house.
She has even used the nickname “Boat Mike” to describe his relaxed personality when he is away from football.
The idea reflects the family’s effort to keep football from taking over every part of their personal lives.
At home, Mike can focus on being a husband and father rather than constantly being an NFL head coach.
The Family Is Starting a New Chapter in Pittsburgh
McCarthy’s move to the Pittsburgh Steelers has created another major change for the family.
After his time with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, McCarthy is now beginning another chapter as an NFL head coach in Pittsburgh.
The move means Jessica and the family have had to adjust to a new city and a new routine once again.
For a coaching family, relocation is part of the job. The McCarthys have already experienced changes in location throughout Mike’s career, so moving to Pennsylvania is another step in a lifestyle they know well.
For Steelers fans, the arrival of McCarthy also means getting to know the family members who support him away from the stadium.
A Family Life Built Around More Than Football
Mike McCarthy may be known primarily for his NFL career, but his life away from football is centered heavily around Jessica and their blended family.
Jessica Kress has supported him through the highs and difficult moments of his coaching career while also maintaining her own interests and commitments.
Their five children have grown up in a unique environment, surrounded by professional football but also encouraged to pursue their own interests.
From Jessica’s background in education and art to Alexandra’s work in entertainment and the family’s charitable efforts, there is much more to the McCarthy household than football.
As Mike begins his new role with the Steelers, Jessica and their children will once again be part of the next chapter. And while the attention will mostly remain on what happens on the field, the family behind the coach continues to play an important role in his life away from the game.
