Nicole Zierlein takes her role as a wife and mother seriously, raising their children with strong values.
Highlights
- Lance and Nicole’s relationship began with a chance meeting at a radio station event and quickly developed into a strong partnership that has weathered the challenges of raising five children.
- The duo’s connection was instant after exchanging emails after their initial meeting, and they went on their first date just days later.
- Nicole’s Catholic values and commitment to their children’s education complement Lance’s public career and create a balanced home life.
Lance Zierlein has established himself as a respected sports analyst and commentary figure, particularly in Houston, Texas.
After graduating from Lamar Consolidated High School in 1988, he attended Tulane University, which laid the foundation for his sports-focused career.
Zierlein’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when he founded Pigskin Sports, an analysis company that helped him gain recognition in multiple markets, including Houston, Baton Rouge, and Miami.
His radio career began at 610 KILT on “Fast Break with Nate” before joining John Granato in 1997 to create “The Bench,” which dominated Houston’s sports talk ratings for nearly a decade.
Following management disagreements, Zierlein and Granato launched their station, KGOW, earning “Best Talk Radio” honors from the Houston Press in 2008.
Beyond radio, Zierlein has contributed to the Houston Chronicle as a blogger and operates The Sideline View, a dedicated football website.
In November 2015, he joined NFL.com as a draft analyst, where he continues to provide expert content, including comprehensive draft profiles for over 500 prospects each season.
He also serves as a lead analyst for the NFL Now mobile platform during combine and draft broadcasts.
From 2011 to 2017, Zierlein hosted morning sports talk radio at 790 KBME in Houston.
Nicole Zierlein is Lance’s Supportive Wife and a Devoted Mother of Five
Nicole Zierlein is pivotal in Lance’s life as his supportive wife and the mother of their five children.
Their love story began at a radio station event where Nicole, already a fan of Lance’s radio work, decided to meet him in person.
Their connection was immediate—after exchanging emails following their first encounter, they had their first date within days.
Nicole recalls being “completely smitten within two months.” Their courtship progressed naturally, with an engagement a year later, followed shortly by their wedding, at which they danced to “Heaven Help.”
A devoted Catholic, Nicole’s faith is central to their family life.
She takes her role as a mother seriously, focusing on raising their children with strong religious values.
The couple has four boys—Drake, Alec, Mason, and Sebastian (nicknamed “Snax“)—and a daughter named Marianna.
Their family has also experienced loss, with Nicole mentioning five babies “storming heaven on our behalf.“
The best listener even if all time. Glad you came to say hello! https://t.co/qvKy2AZALC pic.twitter.com/cUUOmbyRi4
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) May 19, 2022
Education is a priority for Nicole, who describes herself as “passionate about the education of my children.”
While some of their children attend public school, Nicole has expressed interest in homeschooling and has achieved that goal with their youngest daughter, who stays home with her.
The couple shares many common interests, though they maintain their passions.
Nicole is an avid Texas Longhorns fan, and while Lance hasn’t fully converted to sharing her enthusiasm, he respects her dedication—allowing her to watch games uninterrupted and understanding that Saturday during football season is sacred in their household.
Nicole documents their family life through her blog, which she describes as “basically a scrapbook of our life.”
Her writing reveals a close-knit family navigating the joys and challenges of raising five children while maintaining their strong bond as a couple.
Her candid posts about their experiences with faith, parenting, and everyday life give readers a glimpse into the genuine partnership supporting Lance’s public career.
Additional Information
- Lance’s father, Larry Zierlein, served in the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1968 before embarking on a coaching career that spanned high school, college, and professional levels.
- In addition to his radio and NFL.com work, Lance was recognized for his broadcasting talents when he and John Granato were voted “Best Talk Radio” by the Houston Press in 2008.
- Before joining NFL.com as a draft analyst, Lance appeared weekly football expert on Prime Sports Radio’s weekend programming, demonstrating his early expertise in football analysis.
