Sydney Thomas, the rising social media star who shot to fame after her viral “ring girl” appearance, recently revealed an intriguing twist to her newfound celebrity status. According to her, an SEC coach slid into her DMs following her internet-breaking moment, adding fuel to the fire of speculation and online chatter.
Sydney Thomas Attracts Attention in the College Football World After Revealing Podcast Appearance
When her composed and expressive style as a ring girl entertained audiences online and offline, Thomas achieved viral fame, as her social media figures skyrocketed. However, the narrative took an even more surprising twist when Thomas suggested that one of her fans could be a well-known college football coach.
Just spent the last 3 hours breaking down with SEC coach slid into Sydney Thomas’ DMs.
I then ran it through my AI machine learning model.
Here are the four MAIN suspects: pic.twitter.com/xH3oUOfvpG
— Jack Mac (@JackMacCFB) January 12, 2025
Thomas’ admission rocketed the sports world into a frenzy of speculation as fans tried to figure out which SEC coach may have called him. An Outkick report referenced her claim that she was taken aback by the direct message, but she decided to protect the coach’s name.
Nevertheless, social media armchair quarterbacks have piped up extensively, casting suspicion upon multiple SEC coaches.
Jack Mac’s viral tweet stirred the pot even further, cheekily suggesting that the “suspects” include Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Widely recognized for his humorous online engagement, Kiffin’s name is no stranger to these kinds of playful controversies.
Why the Fascination?
The convergence between college football and internet stardom isn’t exactly new, but Thomas’ journey encapsulates a special mix of sport, showbiz, and mystery. Her steep rise highlights the ability of viral moments to create unexplained relations between very different entities.
With regard to the SEC coach, that seemingly innocuous moment—provided, of course, that Thomas’s account is true—adds a touch of fun to a vibrant conference home to larger-than-life characters. Whether it’s just a friendly acknowledgment or a playful gesture, the story has added another dimension to the public personas of SEC coaches.
FOLLOW ALONG: Track Every Transfer Portal Entrant in our CFN Transfer Portal Tracker now!
Thomas’ story represents the changing face of fame in the digital age. A single moment can catapult an individual into the spotlight, connecting them with audiences and individuals from all walks of life—including high-profile figures in college football.
The merger of sport and internet culture is, without fail, a source of entertainment.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.