This season, we have noticed the rise of Texas Longhorns’ head coach, Steve Sarkisian, to a new height. It is all because of his excellent leadership qualities that brings attention to himself. But there is far more heritage wrapped around this rich tapestry that goes far beyond his simple football knowledge and experiences. So, what led to Steve’s journey to excellence? Let’s explore.

Steve Sarkisian was born on March 8th, 1974, in Torrance, California. He carries a unique mix of Armenian and Irish ancestry blood in his veins. His father, Seb Sarkisian, came to the United States from Tehran, Iran. While his mother, Sally, was born in the United States to Irish parents. The multicultural experience has toughened Sarkisian up and made him determined. And these factors are significantly helpful in his coaching.

“My dad’s journey from Iran and my mom’s Irish values have always taught me the importance of hard work and staying grounded,” Sarkisian shared during a YouTube interview on Lawyers and Longhorns.

Sarkisian was the youngest of seven siblings, and he looked up to Walter Payton and was able to mimic football scenarios throughout his childhood. Those attachments to football and those initial exposures became the foundation for his subsequent player and coaching career.

Prior to leading from the sidelines, Sarkisian was a real star as a quarterback. His playing career started at El Camino Junior College. Afterwards, he was carried forward to Brigham Young University, where he became a second-team All-American. He advanced into the Canadian Football League playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders but had much more than what it took to just play the game.

Sarkisian once said, “I would say to myself that I will never be the most athletic guy on the field. But I will always be the smartest.”. From high school to college, the resultant mindset propelled him to move to coaching in 2000 at El Camino College.

The coaching career of Sarkisian has been followed by stints with giants in college football like USC, Alabama, and now Texas. Under the mentorship of Pete Carroll and Nick Saban, he got his ideology of culture, strategy, and flexibility. “Fast is great when you score,” Sarkisian added regarding his highly efficient but also equally effective spread tactics.

Steve Sarkisian’s journey to Texas and a promising future

Steve Sarkisian’s experience at Texas has only been on the rise up to this point. After joining the team in the season of 2021 with a record of 5-7. But later on, he led them to a record of 12-2 and the Big 12 Championship in 2023. He has brought a new life to the Longhorns team. This year, the Longhorns finished at the top of SEC. Few predicted that Sarkisian would produce such results in his first year in a conference that has the likes of Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Ole Miss. 

“This program isn’t just about winning games,” Sarkisian said and added. “I believe it is all about fostering a proper organizational culture that goes hand in hand with ensuring that players achieve the best in the field and out of it.” This new commitment is evidenced by his yearly recruiting, which, in each case, has been among the best throughout the nation.

Sarkisian credits much of his stability to his wife, Loreal Smith Sarkisian, affectionately known as “The First Lady of Texas Football.” A former track coach turned stylist, Loreal brings her own flair to the Longhorns’ game days.

“She’s been my anchor,” Sarkisian said in a 2023 interview. “Her passion and support are invaluable, whether it’s helping me look sharp on game days or motivating me after a tough loss.” Sarkisian believes a lot of it has to do with his wife, Loreal Smith Sarkisian, whom everyone refers to as the ‘First Lady of Texas Football.’ A former track and field coach who is now a stylist. Loreal adds her own spice to the Longhorns’ game days. In a 2023 interview, Sarkisian said, “She’s been my anchor,” “Her passion and support are invaluable, She does everything from making sure I look sharp before my games to supporting me when I lose.”

Can Sarkisian lead Texas to a National Championship? Well, after failing to win the SEC Championship in their first year in the conference, the Longhorns are going into a touch semifinal of the playoffs against the Buckeyes. Win that, and they’d have a shot at the ultimate glory: the natty. 

Sarkisian’s heritage, upbringing, and journey through coaching have formed him to be a strategic-minded, yet passionate coach. As Sarkisian continues to rewrite Texas Longhorns’ history, one thing is clear: His goal is about football and much more. It is about uplifting those youngsters, who still dare to dream about the sky.