Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian doesn't need to run gassers, do up-downs or withstand any other kind of punishment his players might conjure up. He doesn't need scoldings or some version of double-secret probation.
He needs help.
More importantly, he needs the time to get it.
As embarrassing as Sarkisian's inebriated appearance at a booster event Saturday night was, his news conference Tuesday to explain himself and apologize was even sadder. This is a man who knows he acted irresponsibly, acknowledged he's going through "a hard time" and said he'll seek treatment to determine if he has a substance abuse problem.