Todd Bowles has frequently credited his family, including his New Jersey upbringing, for shaping him and his presence on an NFL sideline. (Getty)
Family has always been incredibly important to Todd Bowles.
The brand-new New York Jets coach grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, surrounded by brothers and sisters, as well as an incredibly supportive mother. Not much has changed over the years, except now Bowles is the parent, the one supporting and helping his children.
After making a return to the east coast this offsesaon, Bowles is set to make his sideline debut with Gang Green and you can bet that his family will be by his side throughout it all. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Bowles Has Been Married His Wife, Taneka, Sine 2012
Bowles and his wife Taneka were anxious to move back to the east coast after he was hired as the New York Jets head coach this offseason. (Getty)
Bowles first met Taneka in 2007 while he was coaching in Dallas. Their first son was born in 2011 and the pair officially tied the knot in 2012.
The couple has jumped around over the past few years, living in Dallas, Miami and, now, New York.
2. Bowles Was Previously Married to Jill Jenkins
Jill Jenkins poses for a photo with her grandson earlier this year. (Facebook)
Bowles was married to Jill Jenkins from 2000 to 2008. A graduate of James Madison University, the former Mrs. Bowles grew up in Virginia.
Jenkins is still heavily involved in football, bringing her sons to practice, games and even NFL matchups.
3. Bowles Has Three Sons
Football fandom runs deep in the Bowles family. His two sons with ex-wife Jill Jenkins are already gridiron standouts. (Facebook)
In addition to two sons, Todd Jr. and Troy, from his first marriage, Bowles and Taneka welcomed their first son Tyson in 2011.
Bowles also has a stepaughter from a previous relationship, Sydni Paige Russell, a former NBA cheerleader who recently graduated from LSU.
4. His Stepdaughter Sydni Paige Russell Is Dating Cardinals Safety Tyrann Mathieu
Bowles’ former stepdaughter Sydni and Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Matieu recently became first-time parents. (Facebook)
Bowles family has some pretty good football-related genes.
The Jets coach’s stepdaughter, former New Orleans Hornets cheerleader, Sydni Paige Russell has been dating Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Matieu for several years and the two recently welcomed their first child together. In other words, Bowles grandchild is going to like football.
Russell and Mathieu first met while they were both at LSU and when the player they call “The Honey Badger” was drafted, she was right there with him. Shes’ the one with her hands in the air:
Tyrann Mathieu celebrates at his home in New Orleans. His girl is loving it. http://t.co/qUzDFOCkuZ
Of course, Bowles got to know Matieu in a professional capacity as well, during his stint as the Cardinals defensvie coordinator.
5. He Grew Up in the Pioneer Homes Projects in New Jersey
Bowles credits his mother’s hard work while he was growing up to push him into football and find success outside of their New Jersey home. (Getty)
Bowles grew up in the since-demolished Pioneer Homes projects in Elizabeth, New Jersey, pushed by his parents to find a path out of the area. He graduated from Elizabeth High School in 1981 and went on to play football at Temple before winning a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins. Former Elizabeth special teams coach William von Bischoffhausen described Bowles’ focus to The New York Post:
He understood. That’s why he was at free safety, because he could see the picture. You could see the special kids, the extra thing that defines them as an athlete or a person. You can tell the kids that are frivolous about doing things, and there are kids that know … they had to go to class, they had to do all the little things to be successful.
Bowles’ mother, Joan, worked for the Board of Education in Elizabeth while her son was growing up and then moved on to Schering-Plugh. Although he moved out of Elizabeth, the first-year New York Jets coach had always focused on helping his family. Joan Bowles passed away from cancer at 65 years old in 2009.