Steve Sarkisian Suing USC

USC athletic director Pat Haden initially placed Sarkisian on an indefinite leave of absence, saying at the time it was clear to him that Sarkisian “is not healthy”.

TMZ reports that Sarkisian is suing the school for breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith, failure to accommodate, discrimination on the basis of disability, retaliation, violation of confidentiality of medical info, and possibly more. The grounds for the suit would be that the university violated California law and the Americans with Disability Act, which recognizes alcoholism as a disability.

TMZ is reporting that Sarkisian is looking for $30 million in damages from his dismissal earlier this fall.

The suit asserts that Sarkisian has, at times, been “a person with a disability” because of his alcoholism, under federal law, and the stress of his job contributed to his alcohol dependency. “So firing somebody because of that disability is against the law”, said Sarkisian’s lawyer, via TMZ Sports. Sarkisian, who used inappropriate language while addressing those attending the event, later apologized and said he mixed alcohol and medication.

The school released a statement Monday denying “anything related to a lawsuit regarding Steve Sarkisian”. He led the Trojans to a 12-6 in 18 games.

Less than a week after USC named Clay Helton head coach, the man he replaced is back in the news.

Filing says Steve Sarkisian has completed intense rehabilitation program, is sober and ready to return to coaching.