Shannon Kelley’s love story spans decades, from his first wife, Mary Lou Retton, to his current wife, Kathy, in Utah.
Shannon Kelley carved out a distinguished career that spans athletics, business, and coaching.
The former American football quarterback first gained recognition as the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns in 1988, where he demonstrated resilience and leadership on the field.
After earning his degree, Kelley pursued advanced education, obtaining a master’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
He then established himself as a successful partner in an investment firm and developed a thriving real estate business in Houston.
Kelley’s passion for football eventually drew him back to the sport in a coaching capacity.
He pursued his dream of college coaching, serving as quarterbacks coach at Division II Fairmont State University for two seasons beginning in 2009.
He continued his coaching journey at California (PA) University as running backs coach, then joined Houston Baptist University as assistant coach for their inaugural collegiate football season in 2012.
After nearly a decade in coaching, Kelley transitioned back to the business world in 2020, taking on the role of account manager with NETSYNC, where he continues to apply his leadership skills and business acumen.
Shannon Kelley Spent 27 Years Married To His First Wife, Gymnast Mary Lou Retton
Before finding happiness with his current wife, Shannon Kelley experienced a high-profile marriage that lasted nearly three decades.
He married Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Mary Lou Retton in 1990, after they began dating during his college years at the University of Texas.
Their relationship blossomed while Retton was at the height of her fame, having captured America’s heart with her gold medal performance in the Gymnastics Individual All-around competition at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Shannon and Mary Lou built a family together, welcoming four daughters: McKenna, Shayla, Skyla, and Emma.
Their daughter McKenna followed in her mother’s athletic footsteps, becoming a Level 10 gymnast who won the prestigious 2014 Nastia Liukin Cup.
The family appeared to live a successful life, with Shannon pursuing his business ventures and coaching career while Mary Lou remained involved in gymnastics and various public appearances.
However, after 27 years of marriage, the couple quietly divorced in February 2018.
Mary Lou later revealed the details of their separation during her appearance on Dancing with the Stars, explaining that while they still loved each other, they “weren’t great together anymore.”
She described the divorce as “something that had really needed to happen for a long time,” emphasizing that the decision was mutual and necessary for both of their well-being.
Despite the end of their marriage, Shannon and Mary Lou maintained an amicable relationship, particularly for the sake of their four daughters, who provided crucial support during the difficult transition.
Shannon And Kathy Celebrate A Life Of Adventure And Love
Shannon Kelley found love again with Kathy Kelley, daughter of Carole Metro and the late Raymond Joseph Metro Sr.
Kathy brings her own rich background to their relationship, having grown up in Shelton, Connecticut, before making her home in Park City, Utah, where the couple now resides together.
The couple celebrates their wedding anniversary each December 18th, marking another year of their committed partnership.
In her anniversary post from 2024, she wrote,
“Happy Anniversary to my man! Loving our life together, every day is a new adventure! Thank you for making our dreams come true. So love living this life with you.”
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Kathy and Shannon embrace an active, adventure-filled lifestyle that perfectly complements their Utah location.
Their social media presence reveals a couple who prioritizes exploration and outdoor activities, regularly embarking on hiking and biking adventures throughout the American West.
They’ve explored the dramatic landscapes of Zion National Park, where Kathy documented their hiking and biking excursions against the backdrop of unbelievable views.
The couple also ventured to Alaska for glacier hiking adventures, showcasing their shared love for challenging outdoor pursuits and natural beauty.
Their travels extend beyond outdoor adventures to include cultural experiences and romantic getaways.
The couple has enjoyed trips to New York City for anniversary celebrations, relaxing vacations in La Jolla, California, and luxurious retreats to destinations like Tulum, Mexico, where Kathy described their time as “so much fun and truly relaxing.”
Kathy comes from a close-knit family background, having been raised by parents who instilled strong values in their children.
Her father, Raymond Joseph Metro Sr., worked as an engineer and supervisor at Sikorsky Aircraft for 36 years, where he also served as President of the company’s Fishing Club.
He was known as a dedicated family man who always put his loved ones first and maintained the highest integrity throughout his life.
Raymond passed away in December 2022 after battling Alzheimer’s disease, leaving behind his wife Carole, daughter Kathy, sons Raymond Jr. and Greg, and nine grandchildren.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Shannon was a Class 5A All-State quarterback at Houston Memorial High School before joining the Texas Longhorns.
- He set University of Texas records for highest completion percentage in a season (63.5% with minimum 70 attempts) and highest career completion percentage (56.2% with minimum 100 attempts), both of which were later surpassed by other quarterbacks.
- After leaving Houston Baptist University in 2020, Shannon transitioned from coaching back to the business world as an account manager with NETSYNC, marking his return to the corporate sector after nearly a decade in college football coaching.
