The dispute between USC and Steve Sarkisian over the football coach’s abrupt firing in 2015 ended last week when the school prevailed in an arbitration hearing.
Then-USC athletic director Pat Haden fired Sarkisian in October 2015 after the coach slurred his words and shouted a profanity during the “Salute to Troy” preseason booster event, didn’t appear to be himself during a game and acted strangely before a team meeting.
The lawsuit said Sarkisian was “upset, teary and nearly hyperventilating” before calling Haden and asking for time off. According to the complaint, Haden responded: “Unbelievable! Can’t you even go back to the office to finish the day?