Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian amicably parted ways with his second wife, Loreal Smith, in July 2024.
However, the couple tied the knot on 29 June 2020, after meeting when Sarkisian was announced as the head coach at the University of Texas at Austin.
Highlights
- Loreal Smith, who is a former collegiate track star and coach, was born in Tallahassee, Florida.
- Her mother, Loretta Smith, is a former high school track and field coach.
- Loreal once opened up about her childhood and upbringing. She shared both of her parents were athletes.
Steve Sarkisian and Loreal Sarkisian announced their separation in July 2024. However, their recent activities have sparked curiosity about their current relationship status.
The couple cited their demanding careers as a reason for their separation. They said that their professional commitments made it challenging to prioritize time together.
However, recent observations suggest a possible reunion of their relationship.
As reported by Chron, the football coach was seen wearing his wedding ring again during his media appearances, starting on 4 November.
Notably, he hadn’t worn the ring at media sessions since July 18, including his conference during the Southeastern Conference Media Days and his appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show.
Additionally, Loreal Sarkisian has been seen at Texas football games again. In her recent social media post, she is also seen wearing her wedding ring.
Meanwhile, Loreal Smith’s background and upbringing have also gained much attention.
Loreal Smith’s Parents Were Athletes
Loreal Smith, a native of Tallahassee, Florida, was one of the best track and field athletes. She used to compete in the 100m hurdles.
The former athlete even reached the semifinals at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials.
However, her athletic career came to an end due to a serious injury she sustained just weeks before the Olympics.
After that, Loreal became an assistant track and field coach at the University of Southern California (USC).
“I was still running so well. I had it all before me. You really don’t think something like this is going to happen the way it did for me. I was still in the middle of my running career and I was asking myself, ‘Am I really going to leave this to go coach?'”
Loreal Smith
However, her upbringing has always given her a positive outlook on life and uncertainties.
Although she had to start her coaching career after the unexpected end of her athletic career, she once said that she had always felt destined for coaching.
In a November 2021 interview with the American-Statesman, Loreal Smith shared how her mother shaped her athletic career.
She explained that her mother guided her through the sport from a young age and prepared her for collegiate competition.
“I came from a family of coaches. I grew up with people telling me, ‘You’re going to be a coach one day.’ For a very long time, everything was just for fun. She didn’t try training me hard till high school, which is good because track is a sport you can really get burned out on.”
Loreal Smith
Loreal also noted her mother’s influence. She said that her mom taught her how to present herself and the importance of first impressions,
“They did a really good job of us not knowing how hard it was for them. I look back and I see my dad, and we’re eating, and he’s eating our leftovers. I don’t know what it took to raise us, because that wasn’t for us to be burdened with. I just know they did a good job of raising us.”
Loraal Smith
Knowing that people won’t always have the chance to talk to you to get to know you personally.
In another interview with KXAN’s Britt Morena, Loreal discussed her upbringing, the influence of her parents, and her rise to fame as the wife of one of the highest-paid coaches.
She further revealed how her parents protected their children from hardships, mentioning her father’s sacrifice of eating leftovers to ensure they were well-fed.
She commended her parents for raising her and her siblings without burdening them with the struggles they faced.”
The head coach’s lady love mentioned that both her parents were athletes. Her mother, Loretta, later became a high school track and field coach.
Additional Information
- Steve Sarkisian’s estimated net worth is $5 million.
- Sarkisian’s first wife was Stephanie Sarkisian. They were married in 1997 and divorced in 2015.
- Together, they have three children: Ashley, Taylor, and Brady Sarkisian.
