Loreal, Steve Sarkisian’s wife, signed a divorce letter as a result of…

Loreal Sarkisian is always on the field looking dapper before a Texas Longhorns home game. Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium is more to the “First Lady of Texas Football” than just a runway. That’s not even close to that.

A cowboy hat? Verify. Longhorn purse? Verify. As Loreal proudly salutes 100,000 fans who adore burnt orange while cheering for her husband, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, every Saturday, it’s difficult to miss the weekly ensemble she puts together.

Steve Sarkisian has had his devoted wife by his side ever since he assumed leadership of the University of Texas team in 2021. However, those familiar with his tale—one marked by the lowest of lows—know that his path to atonement hasn’t been straightforward. It’s been quite the journey, from a divorce that precipitated alcoholism and almost terminated his coaching career to getting married to the love of his life and coaching a Texas club that qualified for its first-ever College Football Playoff.

Even though Texas lost to the Washington Huskies in the CFP Semifinal Sugar Bowl, it’s important to see how Sarkisian’s wife has helped him along the way.

Following an unsuccessful stint as a player with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League, Steve Sarkisian pursued a career in teaching. He held positions at Washington, El Camino College, and the Oakland Raiders before being hired as head coach at USC. But his private life was going to take a severe turn for the worst.

2015 saw Sarkisian reach his lowest point. Due to his repeated instances of intoxicated behavior, he lost his position as head coach at the University of Southern California. He was reportedly “intoxicated at many team meetings, practices, and even games” that season, according to the Daily Trojan. In addition, he lost a $30 million lawsuit alleging wrongful termination against USC for depriving him of time for alcoholism treatment.

The reason was a separation from Steve Sarkisian’s first wife, Stephanie Sarkisian. Ashley, Taylor, and Brady were the couple’s three children; they were all 12 years old or younger when they got married in 1997. As reported by TMG, Sarkisian and Stephanie consented to a private settlement, no spousal support, no child support, and joint custody of their kids.

Brady Sarkisian (seen below), a freshman linebacker for Texas this season, is one of the grown-up Sarkisian children.