Steve Sarkisian has carved out a notable legacy in American football, both as a player and a coach. Born and raised in Torrance, California, Steve Sarkisian began his college football journey at Brigham Young University, where he played quarterback from 1995 to 1996. He later transferred to the University of Southern California (USC), continuing his playing career from 1997 to 1999. After wrapping up his time at USC, Steve Sarkisian briefly pursued a professional path, suiting up for teams like the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Canadian Football League and the Los Angeles Avengers in the Arena Football League.

Once his playing days were behind him, Steve Sarkisian transitioned into coaching, starting off as an assistant at El Camino College in California. From there, his career took off rather quickly. He returned to USC—his alma mater—as part of the coaching staff, where he spent seven impactful years. During that stretch, Steve Sarkisian contributed significantly to the Trojans’ success, helping secure multiple conference titles and national championships. His impressive work didn’t go unnoticed, and in 2009, he was named head coach of the Washington Huskies.

Taking the reins at Washington, Steve Sarkisian wasted no time making an impact. Under his leadership, the Huskies made four consecutive bowl appearances, and their win record improved each season during his first four years. That kind of consistent progress solidified Steve Sarkisian’s reputation as one of the rising stars in college football coaching. Following his tenure at Washington, he had a short stint as interim head coach at USC before being appointed head coach at the University of Alabama in 2016. There, Steve Sarkisian played a pivotal role in guiding the team to a national championship victory in 2020.

Throughout his career, Steve Sarkisian has earned acclaim for his creative offensive strategies and his knack for nurturing young talent. He’s worked with standout quarterbacks such as Matt Leinart and Jake Locker, further building his reputation as a top-tier developer of skill players. Known also for his recruiting prowess, Steve Sarkisian has consistently brought high-caliber athletes into his programs. Despite facing challenges and some controversies over the years, his resilience and adaptability have kept him at the forefront of the sport. Today, Steve Sarkisian is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American football.

Looking at Steve Sarkisian’s public behavior and leadership style, there’s a strong possibility he fits the ENTJ personality type. These individuals are typically confident, goal-oriented, and decisive—traits that clearly resonate with Steve Sarkisian’s approach on and off the field. ENTJs thrive on strategy and aren’t shy about taking on tough assignments, much like how Steve Sarkisian has taken charge of high-pressure coaching roles. They’re also persuasive communicators and effective problem-solvers, qualities that likely contribute to his ability to motivate players and manage complex team dynamics. While we can’t know for certain without deeper insight into his internal thought processes, outwardly, Steve Sarkisian exhibits many characteristics typical of an ENTJ.

In addition to the ENTJ framework, observations suggest Steve Sarkisian may also align closely with Enneagram Type Eight—the Challenger. This type is defined by a strong sense of control, a drive for justice, and a protective instinct toward others. Steve Sarkisian’s coaching philosophy reflects this: he’s known for a “tough but fair” mentality, pushing athletes to excel while standing up for their rights and speaking out against inequities in college sports. He doesn’t back down from confrontation when he believes something is wrong, showing the boldness often seen in Type Eights.

Ultimately, Steve Sarkisian comes across as assertive, principled, and deeply committed to both excellence and fairness. Whether it’s through strategic game planning or advocating for his players, his actions reflect the core values of a Challenger. While personality typing isn’t an exact science, the patterns in Steve Sarkisian’s behavior strongly point toward Enneagram Type Eight. So, while labels aren’t definitive, they do offer a useful lens—and in this case, Steve Sarkisian embodies the spirit of a leader who leads with strength, integrity, and purpose.