USC Coach Steve Sarkisian To Take Leave Of Absence

USC coach Steve Sarkisian will take a leave of absence after the coach was not at practice Sunday, the team announced.

“It was very clear to me that he is not healthy,” Trojans’ athletics director Pat Haden said in a statement on USC’s Twitter feed.

Sarkisian “was not sober earlier today” and is “expected to seek treatment,” the LA Times reported Sunday.

Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will serve as interim head coach in his absence.

Before the season, Sarkisian was drunk and made “inappropriate comments” at a pep rally that was later reported to be an effect of him mixing of booze and pills.

Sarkisian “knows he needs serious help,” CBS Sports reported.

He also was not in “good shape” or in “normal condition” Sunday, according to the LA Times.

The Trojans are 3-2 on the season after reaching as high as No. 6 in the AP Top 25. Most recently, USC lost to Washington 17-12.

Sarkisian took over USC in 2014 after a five-year career as the head coach at Washington.

USC’s next game is Saturday at Notre Dame.

Image via USC