Former USC football coach Steve Sarkisian is suing the University of Southern California for $30 million.
Sarkisian feels that USC’s decision to fire him constitutes wrongful termination, and he claims the administration “kicked him to the curb” instead of helping him, according to a report from TMZ.
He wants a massive payday of $30 million because, according to Sarkisian’s attorney, “Alcoholism is a recognized disability under California law. So firing somebody because of that disability is against the law.”
TMZ also reports that Sarkisian feels that he “sober and ready to return to coaching,” but that hasn’t stopped him suing for breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith, failure to accommodate, discrimination on the basis of disability, retaliation, violation of confidentiality of medical info and among other things.
USC has not paid Sarkisian any of the money remaining on his contract which is around $12.6 million.
Troubles with alcohol plagued Sarkisian’s short tenure as the head coach of the Trojans, and it ultimately ended when Sarkisian was fired in early October for not being able to get his drinking problem under control. (RELATED: Alcoholic USC Football Coach Sent Packing After Showing Up To Practice Trashed [VIDEO])
According to Sarkisian, USC was well aware of his alcohol problems after a public meltdown in August and made him sign a pledge to get help. Sarkisian also maintains that he was not drunk when he showed up to USC facilities and was promptly removed, but was instead simply hungover and on medication. (RELATED: Former USC Coach Steve Sarkisian Breaks His Silence After Being Fired For Alcohol Issues)