REPORT

USC Coach May Have Been Drunk at AZ Game

Asked to take indefinite leave of absence.

USC football Coach Steve Sarkisian was asked to take an indefinite leave of absence, Athletic Director Pat Haden announced Sunday. Haden said he learned Sarkisian was not at practice when he called the coach. “It was very clear to me that he is not healthy,” he said. Haden didn’t explain what he meant by “not healthy,” however a player told ESPN’s Shelley Smith that Sarkisian “showed up lit to meetings again today.” The Los Angeles Daily News reported that USC assistant coaches said they believed he was drunk during the Arizona State game on Sept. 26. The coach made headlines in August after appearing publicly intoxicated at a team booster event. Clay Helton, the team’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will serve as the program’s interim coach.