Sarkisian to Trojans: 'Fight On!'

Former USC football coach Steve Sarkisian surfaced on Twitter today to thank backers for their support, two days after he was fired for violating behavioral expectations amid concerns about his continued struggles with alcohol use.

“I would like to thank everyone for their huge outpouring of support and well wishes,” Sarkisian wrote on his Twitter page. “This is a very difficult time for my family and me. I am facing these challenges the best I can and your support helps immensely.

“I wish my Trojans the best against Notre Dame and for the remainder of the season. no one will be cheering them on more than me. Fight On!”

Sarkisian was fired Monday, one day after he was placed on indefinite leave. USC Athletic Director Pat Haden said Sunday Sarkisian failed to attend a Trojan practice and when he contacted the coach by phone, Sarkisian was not healthy. Some players told reporters Sarkisian appeared intoxicated at a team meeting earlier that day.

Haden said Tuesday he met privately with Sarkisian after a Salute to Troy pep rally in August, when the coach appeared drunk, slurring his words and using an expletive while speaking to the crowd. Haden said that during the meeting he “laid out our expectations for his behavior.”

“He has violated those agreed-upon expectations in the conduct expected of all our USC coaches,” Haden said, prompting the coach’s firing.

City News Service