Quarterback Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns speaks at SEC Football Kickoff Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 23, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images)The arrival of Arch Manning with the Texas Longhorns has understandably put more of a spotlight on the family behind one of college football’s most recognizable young quarterbacks. Not only is the spotlight on his famous grandfather Archie Manning and uncles Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, but also on his parents, Cooper Manning and Ellen Heidingsfelder. Both have built careers of their own, despite their very different professional paths.Cooper Manning is a real estate investment and investor relations professional, but he also has a television career that is closely tied to football. Ellen Heidingsfelder is a New Orleans attorney, with a background that includes both academic success and competitive athletics. Their professional experiences have combined to give Arch a mix of football knowledge, business perspective, discipline and family support as he continues his development at Texas.What do Arch Manning’s parents do for a living?Arch Manning’s parents are in different professions. His father, Cooper Manning, is a businessman and a TV star. His mother, Ellen Heidingsfelder Manning, is a lawyer in New Orleans. The two are not related to Arch’s football accomplishments, but both have experiences that play into Arch’s development in meaningful ways.ParentFull nameCurrent professionProfessional backgroundFatherCooper Archibald ManningBusinessman and television personalityReal estate investment, investor relations and sports broadcastingMotherEllen Heidingsfelder ManningAttorneyInsurance defense and products liability lawSonArch ManningCollege football quarterbackTexas LonghornsWhat is Cooper Manning’s job?Cooper Manning is employed at AJ Capital Partners, a real estate investment management firm. He is listed as Principal and Senior Managing Director, Investor Relations on the official company team page. He is involved in the commercial and investor side of the club, not the football side of the club.AJ Capital Partners bills itself as a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on development, adaptive reuse and value-added strategies. The company says its portfolio includes more than 100 properties and 50-plus markets, giving Cooper’s business role a significant connection to the investment and real estate industries.Before joining AJ Capital Partners, Cooper was an institutional equity salesperson with Howard Weil in New Orleans, concentrating on the oil and gas business. AJ Capital Partners announced his appointment as senior managing director of investor relations, including new business development and investor relationship management, in 2016.What does Ellen Heidingsfelder do for a living?Ellen Heidingsfelder Manning is an attorney in New Orleans. Areas of practice include insurance defense and product liability, according to her professional profile. She received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia in 1991 and a J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans in 1994. She was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1994.Ellen's public profile has generally been much lower than Cooper's. Her professional life has stayed with the law while her husband’s business and television work have put him more often in front of cameras.Career detailCooper ManningEllen Heidingsfelder ManningMain professionBusinessman and TV personalityAttorneyCurrent fieldReal estate investment and investor relationsLawEducationUniversity of MississippiUniversity of Virginia; Loyola University New OrleansPrevious professional fieldInstitutional equity salesInsurance defense and products liabilityPublic profileTelevision and sports appearancesGenerally privateHow Cooper Manning built a career beyond footballCooper Manning’s professional story is especially interesting because football was once believed to be a big part of his future. The oldest Manning brother was a good high school receiver at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans and was committed to playing college football at the University of Mississippi.Cooper’s business career is a transition from a football future that never was into finance and real estate. Before entering real estate investing, he gained experience in institutional equity sales and the oil and gas industry at Howard Weil.Cooper Manning career stageDetailsHigh schoolStandout receiver at Isidore Newman SchoolCollege planCommitted to the University of Mississippi1992Diagnosed with spinal stenosisEarly business careerInstitutional equity sales at Howard Weil2016Joined AJ Capital PartnersCurrent rolePrincipal and Senior Managing Director, Investor RelationsCooper has played more of an advisory than decision-making role in Arch’s career. In the midst of Arch’s heavily publicized college recruiting, Cooper said he wanted to be a “concierge,” not a dictator, in his son’s decision.How Ellen Heidingsfelder balances law and familyEllen Heidingsfelder adds a different type of professional experience to the Manning family. She has built a legal career away from the Manning football name, and her educational background suggests a career path focused on higher education and professional qualifications.Ellen wasn’t just a spectator at football. She also has an athletic background growing up. She played volleyball at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans and was on the school’s 1986 state championship team. She also was involved in track and field, including the high jump.Ellen Heidingsfelder's backgroundDetailsHometownNew Orleans, LouisianaHigh schoolAcademy of the Sacred HeartMajor sportVolleyball1986 achievementHelped lead her school to a state championshipTrack eventHigh jumpCollegeUniversity of VirginiaLaw schoolLoyola University New OrleansProfessionAttorneyEllen's influence, less visible to the public than Cooper's, is still important in Arch's raising. Her career shows a professional identity beyond the Manning football dynasty, and her athletic background is another connection to competitive sports.How do Arch Manning’s parents support his career?Cooper and Ellen have influenced Arch’s career more than football tips have. Their professional experience has helped to create a family atmosphere, where athletics is balanced with education, work and personal responsibility.Area of influenceCooper ManningEllen HeidingsfelderSports experienceFormer high school football standoutFormer volleyball and track athleteProfessional expertiseBusiness, investment and televisionLawFootball guidanceDirect experience and recruiting adviceAthletic and family supportPublic profileMore visible through televisionGenerally privateInfluence on ArchFootball perspective and decision-makingDiscipline, education and family groundingSpinal stenosis cut short his playing dreams, but Cooper Manning has since forged a career in business and television. Ellen Heidingsfelder became a New Orleans attorney after excelling academically and athletically. Their different journeys have given Arch a broader base as he continues his own journey with the Texas Longhorns.