USC, in a formal response to Steve Sarkisian’s wrongful termination lawsuit filed last month, says the suit violates an arbitration agreement the former coach had with the school and has taken aim at the accuracy of his claims, calling them “half-truths and, in many cases, outright falsehoods.”
The response was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court and first reported by ESPN.
Sarkisian, 41, was fired Oct. 12, a day after being asked to take an indefinite leave of absence after he arrived to team facilities while, according to reports, appearing to be intoxicated.
Before the season, Sarkisian issued a public apology after an incident at the school’s Salute to Troy booster event, at which Sarkisian slurred his words and used profanity while addressing a large group that included players, fans and coaches.