USC AD: Sarkisian fired for failing to meet school standards

Well, maybe it’s not quite the top.

According to ESPN’s Joe Schad, Sarkisian was en route to an out-of-state treatment facility on Monday when USC athletic director Pat Haden tried to call him to inform him of his firing.

He was sacked a day later. But when the trope of the alcoholic coach comes off screen, the results are not so glamorous. In fact, it sort of feels like déjà vu.

Helton was also interim coach for the Las Vegas Bowl in 2013. USC had the right man in the job last season in coach Ed Orgeron.

Helton said the former players have made sure to talk about their desire to see an increased physical presence return to the USC program. “Some of the older guys have been through this. Our confidence is the same, we’re just ready to go out there and play”.

So who is Clay Helton? If USC hires a coach besides Helton, it will be five different coaches in five years.

Adams, a transfer from Eastern Washington, has a broken index finger that makes him unable to make a football spin when he throws. He had a 12-6 record at USC, including 3-2 this season.

In the meantime, 14th-ranked Notre Dame awaits this Saturday in South Bend, and it’s anyone’s guess as to the mindset of the Trojans. Arizona travels to the Coliseum on November. 7. “It’s the same as it’s always been”, Kessler said of the team’s mood. “They’re a very competitive football team that is very well coached; we have a tremendous challenge ahead of us”. He’ll be going against good Notre Dame cornerbacks in KeiVarae Russell and Cole Luke.

Despite that characterization, Haden said of hiring Sarkisian in 2014, “The decision I made didn’t work out, and I own that”.

“Marcus played for my dad (Kim Helton) when he was coaching at the Raiders”, Helton said. “I look at it like an opportunity more than a burden”.

“You can’t keep a head coach as long as I have (coached) when it’s heading in the wrong direction”, Spurrier said. It’s something I’ll remember and take with me for the rest of my life. We look forward to him getting healthy and doing what he loves to do, which is coach football….

Here’s where it gets interesting – and potentially more ugly. Our day-to-day operations do not stop here.

Despite USC’s off-the-field turmoil this week, this should be a close game. “That’s our job as coaches and that will not stop any day”. USC had the best recruiting class in the country in 2014. But I wish him nothing but the best.

“I can’t really imagine what it would be like to do that”.

One of the players who did not attend but who sent a text to Helton this morning was Marcus Allen. “I know who I am. I don’t know if it’s going to get any better”. It’s a place that I love and my family loves.

Oregon is taking a “wait-and-see” approach with starting quarterback Vernon Adams’ availability for this weekend’s game at Washington, coach Mark Helfrich told reporters. I understand that you have to prove yourself at this level.