Steve Sarkisian Officially Fired By USC Monday Night

USC fired Sarkisian one day after the troubled coach was put on leave.

With Steve Sarkisian fired, who’s next?

“As president of USC I am very, very fortunate to have Pat Haden as our Athletic Director – as is the entire Trojan Family”, Nikias said.

First I got a tweet announcing “Breaking” news that Sarkisian had missed the team practice because he was “lit” and soon the conversation evolved to mention of possible replacements.

Clay Helton, the current offensive coordinator and longest-serving assistant coach at USC will step in as interim head coach. Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will serve as the Trojans’ interim coach for the second time in his career – he led USC to a 45-20 win over Fresno State in the 2013 Las Vegas Bowl – and the message Kelly wanted to deliver was to not take USC lightly despite its recent turmoil.

“Through all of this we remain concerned for Steve and hope that it will give him the opportunity to focus on his personal well-being”, Haded noted.

He was on notice for an incident this summer when he showed up at a pep rally, appearing to be intoxicated while giving a speech.

“This isn’t about coaching now, this is about his personal life and getting things in order and I know he’s committed to taking the right steps to do that”.

Before the season, Sarkisian announced he would receive treatment after admitting he mixed alcohol and unspecified medication during a donor event.

Meanwhile, students and faculty have applauded the university’s decision. He will lead the Trojans against Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Saturday in the resumption of one of college football’s great, traditional rivalry games. USC players, who were said to be shocked and anxious Sunday after seeing the condition Sarkisian was in at team facilities, were told of his firing by position coaches Monday afternoon, before a statement was released to the media. I am not. Sarkisian has a serious disease that has not only cost him his reputation, but it has also cost him his job. I’m sure he didn’t mean to enable his head coach, but that’s what he did.

The Trojans have had a disappointing 2015 season so far, starting off 3-2 with losses to at-the-time unranked Stanford and Washington.

Football players will come back to rehearse Tuesday only one day after USC’s head football mentor was let go. For Sarkisian, the problems off the field ultimately may have carried much more weight in the decision to remove him as head coach. “This is big battle and we’ll pull for him all the way”, Carroll said in a news statement to USC. A source in a meeting with players Sunday told ESPN’s Rowe the mood in the room was initially shock and sadness over Sarkisian’s condition.

On Sunday, Haden was informed at 1 p.m. PT that Sarkisian wasn’t at the 12:30 p.m. PT practice. In the same story, the paper claimed Sarkisian was notorious for making early drinking stops during recruiting trips.