Joel Finglass lives mostly outside the spotlight. He is best known as the husband of Kelli Finglass, the longtime director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. This post gathers everything reliably known about his life and marriage.
Quick Facts About Joel Finglass
- Full name: Joel Finglass
- Location: Coppell, Texas
- Education: University of Maryland, College Park
- Occupation: Self-employed associate
- Spouse: Kelli Finglass (married May 1996)
- Children: Ryan Finglass and Samantha Finglass McKean
- Religion: Jewish
Early Life and Education
Public records confirm little about Joel Finglass’s childhood. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park. Beyond that, detailed early biography is not publicly available.
Career
Finglass works as a self-employed associate based in Coppell, Texas, according to his LinkedIn profile. He has previously had ties to the Dallas Cowboys organization as well. Beyond these details, he has kept his professional life mostly private.
He also coaches for the Coppell Lacrosse Association. That role gives him visibility in his local community, separate from his wife’s national television career.
Marriage to Kelli Finglass
Joel married Kelli Finglass, born Kelli Cecile McGonagill, in May 1996. Kelli has served as Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders since 1991. She also became a television personality through the CMT series Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team and later Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
The couple has marked their anniversary publicly on social media several times:
- Kelli shared a 27th anniversary post in 2023.
- Joel posted a throwback wedding photo in May 2025, marking 29 years together.
Kelli has described their marriage as interfaith. Joel is Jewish, while Kelli attends Tambourine Church.
Family Life
Joel and Kelli have two children:
- Samantha Finglass McKean, born June 25, 1997. She works in sports and brand marketing, serving as chief brand architect for Colonial Country Club.
- Ryan Finglass, born in 1998.
Samantha never auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders herself, despite her mother’s role leading the organization.
The family lives together in Coppell, Texas, a Dallas suburb.
Public Visibility
Joel Finglass avoids the spotlight by choice. Kelli has spoken about him only occasionally during interviews and on the Netflix series. In one notable America’s Sweethearts moment, Kelli became emotional discussing a pet that Joel had cared for.
Most public images of Joel come from Kelli’s or Samantha’s social media accounts, rather than his own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joel Finglass?
He is the husband of Kelli Finglass, Director of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, and a Coppell, Texas resident.
What does Joel Finglass do for a living?
He works as a self-employed associate, according to his LinkedIn profile.
When did Joel and Kelli Finglass get married?
They married in May 1996.
How many children does Joel Finglass have?
He has two children, Samantha and Ryan, born in 1997 and 1998.
Is Joel Finglass on television?
He is not a regular cast member, though he has appeared briefly through Kelli’s storylines on America’s Sweethearts.
Is Joel Finglass active on social media?
He posts occasionally, mostly around family milestones like anniversaries.
