/ STAFF WRITER
LOS ANGELES – As JuJu Smith-Schuster ran toward the end zone in pursuit of a punt, an intense, focused Steve Sarkisian implored his sophomore standout to locate the ball and down it before it crossed the goal line. On the third try Smith-Schuster succeeded, and Sarkisian congratulated him.
The USC coach was back in his element Wednesday, leading the Trojans through a 2½-hour football practice on a warm August morning.
Yes, Sarkisian had coached the team Tuesday as well. But that practice was anything but normal. Just moments before it began, Sarkisian had addressed a media throng about his inappropriate behavior at the “Salute to Troy” event, revealing that he had become intoxicated after mixing alcohol with medication and that he would be seeking treatment of an unspecified nature.