Former head coach Steve Sarkisian has sued USC for $30 million for wrongful termination and failure to help him treat his alcoholism. (Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff Photographer)
Former USC coach Steve Sarkisian filed a lawsuit against the university on Monday saying he was “kicked to the curb” instead of being allowed to seek treatment for alcoholism.
Sarkisian’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, blamed athletic director Pat Haden for wrongful termination and seeks $12.6 million, which is the remainder of his contract at USC, plus unspecified punitive damages for “mental anguish.” He also blamed his high-stress job and collapse of his marriage for his alcohol dependency.
The lawsuit claimed Sarkisian “pleaded” with Haden to give him time away from his job to seek treatment, but Haden placed him on indefinite leave on Oct. 11 and fired him by text the next day.
• THE FULL LAWSUIT: Read the complete court filing in the Steve Sarkisian vs. USC lawsuit
“USC ignored both its obligations under California law and the commitments it made to Steve Sarkisian,” the lawsuit states.
USC broke policy and took the unusual step of actually responding to the lawsuit Monday afternoon.
“Much of what is stated in the lawsuit filed today by Steve Sarkisian is patently untrue,” USC general counsel Carol Mauch Amir. “While the university does not as a matter of practice comment on personnel matters or litigation, the record will show that Mr. Sarkisian repeatedly denied to university officials that he had a problem with alcohol, never asked for time off to get help, and resisted university efforts to provide him with help.
“The university made clear in writing that further incidents would result in termination, as it did. We are profoundly disappointed in how Mr. Sarkisian has mischaracterized the facts and we intend to defend these claims vigorously.”
According to the lawsuit, Sarkisian’s “depression and anxiety worsened” following the devastating loss to Washington on Oct. 8. The Huskies were 17-point underdogs and Sarkisian previously spent five years coaching at Washington.
Sarkisian says in the lawsuit he was not drunk at a team meeting on Oct. 11 but felt the effects of alcohol and medication the night before, and suffered from anxiety and depression. USC players previously said they smelled liquor on Sarkisian’s breath.
Sarkisian said he left USC with an assistant and went home. It claims when he asked Haden for time off, the athletic director responded, “Unbelievable.”
New USC coach Clay Helton surfaced in the lawsuit because Sarkisian said they shared some beers before the infamous Salute to Troy barbecue, where Sarkisian used profanity and appeared drunk. Sarkisian claimed he drank only two beers and a sip of a third, but suffered an adverse reaction from medication for depression.
“I think (the lawsuit) is reprehensible and short-sighted,” said Richard Taite, founder of the Cliffside Malibu treatment center. “He had never taken responsibility for his actions. Had he been a grown-up (and admitted he had a problem), he’d still be the coach.
“USC doesn’t owe this guy. They couldn’t make him do something he didn’t want to.”
Whether this actually goes to trial is debatable because of the damage it could cause Sarkisian if private details became public. For example, according to sources at USC, including an assistant coach, Sarkisian was not sober during the Arizona State game on Sept. 26. His lawsuit denies he was drunk at the game.
“It’s a tough decision for Sarkisian, particularly because of his high-profile occupation, and I would surmise some sort of private agreement will be achieved to spare both parties further public embarrassment,” said David Kim, a New Jersey-based attorney, who wrote Sarkisian could file a wrongful termination lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act. “Most employees, however, don’t have the public concerns that someone in Sarkisian’s position has, and would likely file a lawsuit if terminated in the same manner as the coach.”
• PHOTOS: Ex-coach Steve Sarkisian sues USC for $30 million
Taite said it was offensive for the lawsuit to use the ADA.
“To all of a sudden rely on the ADA and say I’m an alcoholic seems disingenuous,” Taite said.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the lawsuit centers around the $1 million Sarkisian said he was paid each year for unspecified “marketing services” to his company “Sark Enterprises.”
Sarkisian, who completed a 30-day stay at a treatment center, said he is sober and ready to coach again.
“USC has taken away his team, his income, and a job that he loved,” the lawsuit said.
Sarkisian’s lawyer, Alan Loewinsohn, did not return a message seeking comment.
