Steve Sarkisian Agrees to Arbitration in Lawsuit Against USC: Details, Reaction

USC and former head coach Steve Sarkisian agreed to binding arbitration Wednesday to resolve the lawsuit he filed against the school, per Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times.

"He filed the lawsuit because he had a right to sue in court and believes in transparency," Sarkisian's attorney, Alan Loewinsohn, said. "However, USC made [it] clear that even if we won the arbitration issue, they would exercise their right to appeal, which could delay the case a year or more, and Mr. Sarkisian made the decision not to wait for a resolution."

USC fired Sarkisian in October, shortly after asking him to take a leave of absence. The Los Angeles Times' Gary Klein and Lindsey Thiry reported Sarkisian missed an afternoon practice on Oct. 11, with one player saying the coach "just didn't seem right."

"It was very clear to me that he is not healthy," USC athletic director Pat Haden said.

SB Nation's Kevin Trahan and Cyd Zeigler reported Sarkisian voluntarily checked into a treatment facility after his firing by the school.

Sarkisian filed his lawsuit against the Trojans on Dec. 7, per Fenno:

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Sarkisian alleges that the school discriminated against him because of his alcoholism and breached his contract, according to the suit, which was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The 31-page complaint provides Sarkisian's first public account of the events that led to his ouster after less than two years as USC's head coach. Among the details are the chaotic final 24 hours—alleged tears, combative phone calls and the realization that something wasn't right.

"That weekend...Sarkisian began to finally come to grips with the fact that he had a problem with alcohol, needed serious help and needed it now," the lawsuit said.

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USC general counsel Carol Mauch Amir called Sarkisian's claims "patently untrue."

Loewinsohn told TMZ Sports his client is seeking $30 million, which includes the remaining $12.6 million left on the contract he signed with the school, in addition to further compensation for mental anguish.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Jan. 5 that Sarkisian is looking to return to coaching, targeting a quarterback coach or offensive coordinator role in the NFL.

"He has worked hard to straighten his life out, and whoever gives him a second chance will be well rewarded because he's an incredibly gifted and dedicated coach," said Sarkisian's agent, Gary Uberstine, to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport (via NFL.com's Chase Goodbread).