If you follow college football, you know the name Steve Sarkisian. But honestly, if you follow Texas football, you probably spend just as much time looking for Loreal Sarkisian on the sidelines. She’s become a total icon in Austin, though most people just call her the "First Lady of Texas Football."
Lately, things have been a bit of a whirlwind for the couple. One minute they’re filing for divorce, the next they’re holding a newborn. It’s the kind of story that keeps fans refreshing their Instagram feeds at 2:00 AM.
The Breakup That Wasn't: A 2024 Drama
In July 2024, the college football world was stunned. Steve and Loreal put out a joint statement on Instagram. They were filing for divorce. They basically said their careers—his as the head coach of a massive program and hers as a high-end stylist—made it impossible to find time for each other.
It felt final.
But then, something shifted. Loreal didn’t just vanish from the sidelines. She kept showing up in those legendary gameday outfits. Fans noticed she was still wearing her massive wedding ring. By the end of the year, it was clear the "split" wasn't as permanent as that Instagram post suggested. They reconciled, and they did it while the spotlight was at its brightest.
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Why Loreal Sarkisian is More Than a "Coach's Wife"
Calling her just a coach's wife is kinda doing her a disservice. Before she was ever a Sarkisian, she was Loreal Smith, a total powerhouse in her own right.
She wasn't just some fan in the stands; she was an elite athlete. We're talking 100-meter hurdles in under 13 seconds. She even tried out for the Olympics in 2012. She knows the grind. She’s been a coach herself, specifically at USC (where she and Steve likely first crossed paths) and Florida.
When you see her on the field, she’s not just there for show. She gets the game. She understands the pressure Steve is under because she’s lived that life. The Longhorn players even call her "Mama Sark." That’s not a title you get just for being married to the boss; you earn that by actually caring about the kids on the roster.
The Fashion Mogul of the SEC
Loreal has turned the Texas sidelines into a literal runway. She’s a personal stylist for CEOs and celebrities, and she brings that same energy to gameday.
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Remember the white prairie blouse and black sheer maxi skirt from 2021? Or the gold denim look she rocked for the Vanderbilt game? She’s bold. Honestly, she even made burnt orange look "chic," which—let’s be real—is a tough color to pull off unless you’re a pumpkin.
In late 2025, she even skipped a game for Paris Fashion Week. She was working with Balmain, wearing an archived piece from the 1940s to celebrate their 80th anniversary. That’s a huge deal. It shows that while she’s a huge part of the Texas football brand, her own career is operating on a global level.
A New Chapter: Baby Amays
The biggest news for the couple recently hasn't been about touchdowns or transfers. In April 2025, Steve and Loreal welcomed their first child together, a son named Amays.
Steve has three older children from his first marriage—Taylor, Ashley, and Brady—but this was a fresh start for him and Loreal. After the "scary" moments they hinted at during the pregnancy, seeing photos of Steve holding the baby during a bye week or Loreal dressing him in tiny gameday onesies has been a total 180 from the divorce news of 2024.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People think Loreal is just there for the cameras. They see the Birkin bags and the Balmain and assume it’s all about the "influencer" life.
But if you look at her work with the XOLO Foundation or her involvement with "The Kindness Campaign," you see a different side. She’s big on philanthropy and empowering women through fashion. She’s described her style as "structured chic" and "elevated," but her personality is much more about "giving back."
She’s also been incredibly honest about the "touchy subject" of dressing Steve. While she gives him options, she admits he’s got his own style. The fact that he’s become a bit of a fashion icon himself lately? Yeah, you can probably thank Loreal for that subtle evolution.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're following the Sarkisian saga, here is what you actually need to know to stay up to speed:
- Relationship Status: They are very much back together. After a brief divorce filing in mid-2024, they reconciled and are raising their son, Amays, together.
- Professional Identity: Loreal isn't a "social media personality." She is a professional wardrobe stylist with high-level clients.
- The Athlete Connection: Her background as a track star at North Carolina A&T is why she fits so well into the high-pressure world of SEC football.
- Game Day Impact: Her presence is a "good luck charm" for many fans. When she’s on the sidelines, the energy is just different.
If you want to keep up with what she’s doing, your best bet is following her official Instagram. She’s surprisingly transparent about the balance between being a new mom, a stylist in Paris, and the "First Lady" of one of the biggest football programs in the country. You can also check out her official website, https://www.google.com/search?q=lorealsarkisian.com, for her blog posts on fashion and confidence.