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USC claims Steve Sarkisian resisted university help for his alcoholism

Graham Watson

USC responded Monday night to the lawsuit former coach Steve Sarkisian filed Monday.

Sarkisian is claiming he was wrongfully terminated for having a disability and that USC did not give him a proper opportunity to seek treatment. Sarkisian was fired after he showed up to position meetings on Oct. 11 intoxicated and then failed to show up to practice.

In his lawsuit, Sarkisian characterized his alcoholism as a disability.

He was on his way to seek treatment a day later when athletic director Pat Haden fired him via email.

It wasn’t the first time Sarkisian had been drunk at a school function. He made a scene at a booster function in August, which brought harsh words from Haden, a public reprimand and Sarkisian’s promise to get help.

However, USC claims Sarkisian never asked for time off to get help and resisted offers from the university to help him get treatment for his alcoholism.

"Much of what is stated in the lawsuit filed today by Steve Sarkisian is patently untrue. 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."

Alan Loewinsohn, Sarkisian’s attorney, told TMZ that alcoholism is “a recognized disability under California law.”

"Under the circumstances of this case, California law required USC to make reasonable accommodation of giving Steve Sarkisian time off to get help for his disability and then return to his job," the lawsuit says. "Instead, USC ignored both its obligations under California law and the commitments it made to Steve Sarkisian."

The lawsuit also states USC violated Sarkisian’s contract by refusing to pay him the rest of the money owed — $12.6 million — under the terms of his deal.

For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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