Steve Sarkisian Sues USC for $20 Million-Plus Over Firing

Axed football coach claims he was given the boot after pleading for time off to treat alcoholism

Former USC head football coach Steve Sarkisian says he’s well after receiving treatment for alcoholism — but now he’s heading to court to make him whole financially.

Sarkisian, who was fired from USC in October after appearing to be inebriated at multiple events this year, has slapped the school with a whopper of a lawsuit, claiming that he’s owed more than $20 million after being wrongfully terminated.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, claims that he pleaded with athletic director Pat Haden to get the time off he needed for treatment after coming to grips with the fact that he suffers from alcoholism, but was fired less than 24 hours after being placed on indefinite leave.

“California law required USC to make the reasonable accommodation of giving Steve Sarkisian time off to get help for his disability and then return to his job,” the lawsuit reads, adding that the school “kicked him to the curb” when he needed help the most.

Sarkisian claims that he was fired via email while he was flying to get help for his condition.

The former BYU quarterback claims that, per his contract with USC, he’s owed more than $20 million, including $2.625 million in salary from Dec. 2014 to Dec. 2015, $11.25 million for allegedly terminating him without cause, and bonuses and benefits.

As for events where Sarkisian appeared to be inebriated, the lawsuit blames his sloppy appearance at a Salute to Troy rally in August to drinking two beers that interacted badly with his anxiety medication, and says that at an Oct. 11 team meeting — just before he was fired — he didn’t feel right due to drinking the night before, poor sleep and anxiety.

Sarkisian alleges breach of written contract, breach of implied covenant and discrimination on the basis of disability, among other counts.

Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.

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