You know how every successful man has someone supporting him behind the scenes? Well, when it comes to Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian, that person was Stephanie Sarkisian for nearly two decades. But here’s the thing – most people don’t know much about her, and that’s exactly how she wants it.
Stephanie Sarkisian isn’t your typical “coach’s wife” who loves the spotlight. She’s actually the complete opposite. While her ex-husband became one of the biggest names in college football, she chose to stay out of the cameras and focus on what really mattered to her – teaching kids and raising her family.
So who exactly is this woman who stood by Steve Sarkisian through all those years? Let’s dig into her story.
Who Is Stephanie Sarkisian? The Basics You Should Know
Stephanie Sarkisian was born on July 12, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. That makes her about 50 years old now. She comes from a mixed background – her dad’s side is Japanese, and she grew up in a family that loved sports. Maybe that’s why she understood what it meant to be married to a coach who basically lived and breathed football.
But here’s what most people miss about Stephanie Yamamoto Sarkisian – she’s way more than just “Steve Sarkisian’s ex-wife.” This woman has her own impressive career and has always been super private about her personal life. Even today, you won’t find her posting selfies on Instagram or sharing her thoughts on Twitter.
What Does Stephanie Do for a Living?
Unlike many people married to celebrities who just enjoy the lifestyle, Stephanie Sarkisian built her own career. She went to school at USC and UCLA – yeah, two major universities – and got degrees in education and school administration.
She started out as a regular teacher, working with kids in the classroom. But she didn’t stop there. Over the years, she moved up to become a school administrator, which means she took on bigger responsibilities like running programs and making important decisions about how schools operate.
And get this – she also spent time working on community programs that help raise awareness about serious health issues like breast cancer and AIDS. So while Steve was coaching football, Stephanie was out there making a real difference in her community.
The High School Sweethearts Story
This is where it gets kind of sweet. Stephanie and Steve Sarkisian didn’t meet at some fancy party or through mutual friends later in life. Nope, they were literally high school sweethearts. They met at West High School in Torrance, California, back in the day.
Can you imagine? They were probably sitting in math class together or hanging out at football games, not knowing that years later, Steve would become a major college football coach.
They dated through high school, stuck together through college, and then finally got married in 1997. At that point, Steve was just starting his coaching career, and Stephanie was right there with him, ready to take on whatever came their way.
What It’s Really Like Being a Coach’s Wife
Now, let me tell you – being married to a football coach isn’t easy. It’s not all glamorous game days and fancy dinners. The reality? Your husband is gone all the time. He’s recruiting players, watching game film until 2 AM, traveling to away games, and basically married to his job.
Stephanie’s role as a coach’s wife meant she had to be okay with being alone a lot. She had to manage the house, deal with moving when Steve got new jobs, and basically be a single parent during football season. And she did all this while keeping her own career going and making sure their kids had a normal, stable life.
That takes some serious strength, you know?
The Sarkisian Kids: Three Amazing Children
Stephanie and Steve have three kids together, and honestly, looking at how well these kids turned out tells you everything about what kind of mom Stephanie is.
Ashley Sarkisian – The Overachiever
Their oldest daughter Ashley is seriously impressive. She graduated from NYU in 2024 with a degree in international relations, and she also studied Spanish and Portuguese on the side. But she’s not just book-smart.
Ashley was the captain of both her volleyball team and beach volleyball team at Sage Hill School. Like, how do you even have time for all that? She’s also done a TEDx talk about technology. At her age, most people are just trying to figure out life, and she’s already out there speaking at conferences.
Brady Sarkisian – Following Dad’s Footsteps
Brady Sarkisian is the youngest son, and guess what? He plays football for the Texas Longhorns – his dad’s team. How cool is that? I mean, imagine getting to play for your own father who’s the head coach. That’s got to be both amazing and probably a little stressful at times.
Brady’s decision to play for his dad shows that despite the divorce, this family still has strong bonds.
Taylor Sarkisian – The Private One
Then there’s Taylor, the youngest daughter. She’s known as “Papa Steve’s baby girl,” but unlike her siblings, she keeps things really private. You won’t find much about her online, and honestly, good for her. Not everyone wants to live their life in public.
Stephanie Did Most of the Parenting
Here’s the real talk – while Steve was off coaching and building his career, Stephanie was the one raising these kids day-to-day. She was at the school plays, helping with homework, driving them to practices, and being there for all the little moments that make up childhood.
The fact that all three kids are doing so well? That’s mostly thanks to her. She created a stable home even when their dad was barely around during football season.
The Divorce That Shocked Everyone
So after 18 years of marriage, things fell apart. In April 2015, Stephanie Sarkisian filed for divorce in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The reason listed was “irreconcilable differences” – which is basically legal talk for “we just can’t make this work anymore.”
This came as a shock to a lot of people because from the outside, they seemed like they had it together. But you never really know what goes on behind closed doors, right?
They Handled It the Right Way
Here’s what I respect about both of them – they didn’t turn it into a messy public drama. Days after filing for divorce, they put out a joint statement saying they wanted to protect their kids’ privacy and keep co-parenting together as a team.
No nasty interviews. No airing dirty laundry on social media. No fighting through the press. Just two adults trying to do right by their kids. The divorce was finalized quietly, and they both moved on with dignity.
The timing was tough, though. This all happened around the same time Steve lost his head coaching job at USC. He was dealing with personal issues, including problems with alcohol, and his whole life was kind of falling apart. But through it all, Stephanie stayed quiet and classy. She never gave interviews or tried to trash him publicly.
Moving On After 18 Years Together
Getting divorced after nearly two decades together can’t be easy. You’ve built a whole life with someone, raised kids together, moved cities together, and then suddenly you’re starting over. But Stephanie handled it like a boss.
She didn’t remarry or jump into another relationship. Instead, she focused on being a good mom and continuing her work in education. That takes real strength.
Where Is Stephanie Sarkisian Now?
So what’s Stephanie up to these days? Well, she’s still keeping things private. There’s no verified Instagram account where she’s posting pictures of her coffee or vacation photos. No Facebook profile sharing her thoughts on current events. No Twitter where she’s commenting on her ex-husband’s coaching career.
She’s basically living her life away from all the noise of social media, which honestly seems pretty smart if you ask me.
Still Teaching and Still Being a Great Mom
Stephanie is reportedly still working as a teacher, doing what she’s always loved – helping kids learn and grow. She’s also focused on her three children, supporting them in whatever they choose to do.
And here’s the cool part – even though she and Steve are divorced, they’ve managed to keep a good co-parenting relationship. They work together to support their kids, which is exactly what good parents should do.
When Brady decided to play football for his dad’s team, that couldn’t have happened if Stephanie and Steve weren’t on good terms. When Ashley achieved all her academic success, both parents were there to celebrate. That’s what mature co-parenting looks like.
Steve Moved On – And Stephanie Stayed Classy
In 2020, Steve married Loreal Smith, a former track star and coach. He got a fresh start, a new relationship, and continued building his coaching career. He’s now leading the Texas Longhorns and doing pretty well.
And Stephanie’s response to all this? Complete silence. She didn’t comment. Didn’t post anything shady on social media. Didn’t give interviews about her feelings. She just let him live his life while she lived hers.
That level of maturity is rare, especially when you’re watching your ex-husband of 18 years marry someone else. But that’s just who she is – someone who values privacy and dignity over drama.
The Real MVP of Steve’s Early Career
Let’s be real for a second – Stephanie played a huge role in Steve Sarkisian becoming the coach he is today. When he was climbing the ranks, moving from job to job, trying to make a name for himself, she was the stable force at home.
She supported his dreams, even when it meant sacrificing her own needs. She moved whenever his career required it. She raised their kids mostly on her own during football season. She dealt with the stress and pressure that comes with being married to someone in such a demanding profession.
Did she get credit for it? Not really. Most people only know Steve’s name. But anyone who understands how these things work knows that behind successful coaches are usually partners who made it possible for them to focus on their careers.
Why Her Story Matters
You might be wondering – why should we care about Stephanie Sarkisian? She’s not famous. She doesn’t want attention. She’s just living her life.
But that’s exactly why her story matters.
She represents all those people who support others’ dreams while building their own lives quietly. She shows that you can be connected to someone famous without needing the spotlight yourself. She proves that handling difficult situations with grace and privacy is still possible in our oversharing culture.
Plus, her dedication to education and raising good kids shows what really matters in life. It’s not about how many Instagram followers you have or whether people recognize your name. It’s about the impact you have on the people around you.
Some Quick Facts About Stephanie
Let me break down the key stuff you should know:
Personal Info:
- Born July 12, 1974 (she’s 50 now)
- Mixed Japanese and American background
- From Los Angeles, California
- Works as a teacher and school administrator
- Went to USC and UCLA for her degrees
Family Stuff:
- Was married to Steve from 1997 to 2015
- Three kids: Ashley, Brady, and Taylor
- Currently single and focused on her career and kids
- Maintains a good co-parenting relationship with Steve
Career Highlights:
- Been in education for years
- Moved from teacher to administrator
- Involved in community health programs
- Built her career while supporting her husband’s coaching
What We Can Learn From Stephanie
Stephanie Sarkisian’s life teaches us some pretty valuable lessons:
You Don’t Need the Spotlight to Matter – She made a real difference as a teacher and mom without needing fame or recognition.
Privacy Is Powerful – In a world where everyone shares everything, choosing to keep your life private is actually really strong.
Good Co-Parenting Is Possible – Even after a difficult divorce, you can work together for your kids’ sake.
Your Own Identity Matters – She never lost herself in being “the coach’s wife.” She kept her own career and interests.
Grace Under Pressure – The way she handled her divorce and Steve’s remarriage shows serious class.
People Keep Asking About Her
Is Stephanie remarried?
Nope. After her divorce from Steve, she’s stayed single. She’s focused on her work and her kids.
What’s her job?
She’s a teacher and works in school administration. She went to USC and UCLA to study education.
How many kids does she have?
Three – Ashley, Brady, and Taylor. All doing great things in their own ways.
Is she on social media?
Not publicly. There’s no verified accounts for her anywhere. She keeps her life private.
When did she and Steve split up?
They filed for divorce in April 2015 after 18 years of marriage. It was finalized in 2016.
Do she and Steve get along now?
Yeah, they co-parent their kids together and keep things respectful. No drama.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Stephanie Sarkisian is someone who deserves respect. She’s not trying to be famous. She’s not writing tell-all books or doing interviews. She’s just living her life, teaching students, raising her kids, and staying true to herself.
In a world where everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame, there’s something really refreshing about someone who actively avoids the spotlight. Stephanie Yamamoto Sarkisian could easily trade on her connection to Steve and college football, but she chooses not to.
She built her own career in education. She raised three successful kids who are out there making their own marks on the world. She handled a difficult divorce with dignity. And she continues to make a difference in her community through her work.
That’s the real story of Stephanie Sarkisian – not just Steve Sarkisian’s ex-wife, but an educator, a mother, and a woman who knows what really matters in life. Her quiet strength and dedication to what’s important might not make headlines, but it’s made a real difference in the lives of her students, her children, and her community.
And honestly? That’s way more impressive than any football championship.
