Kevin Black was born in River Falls, Wisconsin. He is one of four children (Stephanie, Kevin, Tony and Amy) of David and Mary Black. Kevin grew up on a dairy farm and began wrestling in kindergarten.

Wrestling has always been an important piece of the Black family. Dave was instrumental in starting the River Falls Wrestling Boosters and youth wrestling program, starting the Kid's Folkstyle State Tournament series and leading the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation. He's a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and George Martin Hall of Fame. Kevin's younger brother Tony and sisters, Stephanie and Amy, have also been involved in wrestling since they were young children. Tony currently is currently employed by USA Wrestling.

Kevin entered high school in the fall of 1994 and wrestled for Hall of Fame coach David Brandvold. He was a 4-time WIAA State Champion with a perfect 160-0 career record. When he graduated in 1998, Kevin held the nation's longest winning streak for a high school wrestler. He also won 4 Northern Badger titles and 4 Big Rivers conference titles. He was a member of 3 State qualifying teams, including two runner-up finishes (1996 and 1997). The Wildcats also won 4 consecutive Big Rivers titles while he was in high school. Several of his teammates also won high school state championships, including his brother Tony in 1998. Tony would win a second title in 1999. In addition to his success in a Wildcats singlet, Kevin represented Team Wisconsin at Cadet and Junior Nationals and was a 4-time freestyle state champion and 2-time Greco-Roman state champion.

Kevin graduated near the top of his class and was a member of the National Honor Society and several other student clubs and organizations. He was an All-American according to ASICS Tiger, Amateur Wrestling News and Wrestling USA. Kevin also maintained "perfect attendance" kindergarten through high school graduation, never missing a single day of school for 13 consecutive years.

Kevin attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 2003. As a four-year starter on the Badgers wrestling team, he was named team captain as a sophomore, junior and senior. In 2002, he earned All-American status by finishing 4th at 133 pounds. He was a national qualifier as a true freshman in 1999 (125 pounds) and 2001 as sophomore (133). He redshirted during the 2000 season. In 2002, he finished in the top-12 after losing in the final seconds in the "blood round." His senior year, he was ranked #2 in the nation before an injury ended his season prematurely.

After graduation, Kevin married Liz (Reusser). Liz was a multiple-time Big Ten champion and All-American as a member of the Badgers cross country and track teams. Kevin spent two years as a UW volunteer assistant wrestling coach and attempted to qualify for the USA freestyle team. He competed in domestic and international competitions as a part of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club (DSWC) and Gator Wrestling Club. During those two years, Liz earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at UW.

In 2006, Kevin and Liz moved to River Falls, Wisconsin and opened Victory School of Wrestling. Kevin coached several high school state champions, All-Americans and national team members. His introduction to the women's wrestling scene has helped define his coaching career as he's served as a World and Olympic team coach and led several tours in the US and around the world. In 2016, he traveled to Rio de Janeiro with his most accomplished athlete, Helen Maroulis. Helen became the first, and only, Olympic Gold Medalist in women's wrestling in American history. Kevin has coached athletes to several international and world championship medals. In 2010 and 2011, he was named USA Wrestling Coach of the Year. In 2018, he was named USA Wrestling Development Coach of the Year.

Kevin lives in River Falls with his wife Liz and three children – Isaiah (10), Micaiah (8) and Ezra (5). He is the head wrestling coach at River Falls High School.

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