USC'S Steve Sarkisian

[Ubermorgen]

...placed on administrative leave. I've read of one de-commit already.

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/colle...head-coach-steve-sarkisian-take-leave-absence

 

[Seattle_Cat]

...placed on administrative leave. I've read of one de-commit already.

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/colle...head-coach-steve-sarkisian-take-leave-absence

Would that kind of behavior get the coach fired at most schools? How about NU?

I don't like U$C, but I feel sorry for Sark.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Sounds like he is going through some personal challenges. Sucks that he turned to the bottle, but I can see why.

 

[shakes3858]

Would that kind of behavior get the coach fired at most schools? How about NU?

I don't like U$C, but I feel sorry for Sark.

Don't feel bad for Sarkisian. I've heard lots of rumors that he's a sleaze bag which explains why he's getting divorced.

 

[NURoseBowl]

Sounds like he is going through some personal challenges. Sucks that he turned to the bottle, but I can see why.

No answer has ever been found in a bottle. Not sure why people continue to search for them there. What's that saying about the definition of insanity?

 

[seavue617]

Sark will not coach SC again. SC is being properly cautious by not firing him outright as alcoholism is a disability. Expect talks will begin soon re a buy-out.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

...placed on administrative leave. I've read of one de-commit already.

http://espn.go.com/losangeles/colle...head-coach-steve-sarkisian-take-leave-absence

I posted about him getting drunk at an annual alumni event back in August. I heard on the news today that he has been drinking again. Looks like Pat Haden will be searching for a new hc...again.

http://northwestern.forums.rivals.c...-host-at-annual-alumni-event.6672/#post-69243

 

[Hungry Jack]

Sark will not coach SC again. SC is being properly cautious by not firing him outright as alcoholism is a disability. Expect talks will begin soon re a buy-out.

They could still fire him outright, but I agree with you that they won't. The law, I believe,modern some wiggle room:

The ADA expressly provides that an employer "may hold an employee who engages in the illegal use of drugs or who is an alcoholic to the same qualification standards for employment or job performance and behavior that such entity holds other employees, even if any unsatisfactory performance or behavior is related to the drug use or alcoholism of such employee." In other words, there is no "alcoholism" excuse for poor performance or workplace misconduct. Employees who drink on the job or who are drunk on the job or who fail to perform their duties due to drinking or who engage in misconduct due to drinking may be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including termination. The only caveat is that the employer must treat alcoholic and non-alcoholic employees the same, and may not impose different penalties for the same offenses depending on whether or not the employee is an alcoholic. That is, the employer may not single out alcoholics for worse discipline than their non-alcoholic co-workers. As the EEOC explains:

The ADA specifically provides that employers may require an employee who is an alcoholic or who engages in the illegal use of drugs to meet the same standards of performance and behavior as other employees. This means that poor job performance or unsatisfactory behavior – such as absenteeism, tardiness, insubordination, or on-the-job accidents – related to an employee’s alcoholism or illegal use of drugs need not be tolerated if similar performance or conduct would not be acceptable for other employees.

- See more at: http://warshawskylawfirm.com/lawyer...es_Act_(ADA)__bl3124.htm#sthash.dPWGJoKU.dpuf

 

[Purple Pile Driver]

Don't feel bad for Sarkisian. I've heard lots of rumors that he's a sleaze bag which explains why he's getting divorced.

Alcoholism is a disease. It happens to sleazy people and it happens to others that are good people.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Alcoholism is a disease. It happens to sleazy people and it happens to others that are good people.

I certainly agree, but it's not like cancer, MS, diabetes, etc. I think you do have a role in determining whether or not alcohol takes control of your life. Been there. Done that.

 

[seavue617]

They could still fire him outright, but I agree with you that they won't. The law, I believe,modern some wiggle room:

The ADA expressly provides that an employer "may hold an employee who engages in the illegal use of drugs or who is an alcoholic to the same qualification standards for employment or job performance and behavior that such entity holds other employees, even if any unsatisfactory performance or behavior is related to the drug use or alcoholism of such employee." In other words, there is no "alcoholism" excuse for poor performance or workplace misconduct. Employees who drink on the job or who are drunk on the job or who fail to perform their duties due to drinking or who engage in misconduct due to drinking may be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including termination. The only caveat is that the employer must treat alcoholic and non-alcoholic employees the same, and may not impose different penalties for the same offenses depending on whether or not the employee is an alcoholic. That is, the employer may not single out alcoholics for worse discipline than their non-alcoholic co-workers. As the EEOC explains:

The ADA specifically provides that employers may require an employee who is an alcoholic or who engages in the illegal use of drugs to meet the same standards of performance and behavior as other employees. This means that poor job performance or unsatisfactory behavior – such as absenteeism, tardiness, insubordination, or on-the-job accidents – related to an employee’s alcoholism or illegal use of drugs need not be tolerated if similar performance or conduct would not be acceptable for other employees.

- See more at: http://warshawskylawfirm.com/lawyer...es_Act_(ADA)__bl3124.htm#sthash.dPWGJoKU.dpuf

The ADA is only one area of potential liability for SC here. California Workers' compensation law penalizes any discriminatory action based on a disability caused or aggravated by employment.

 

[Hungry Jack]

P

The ADA is only one area of potential liability for SC here. California Workers' compensation law penalizes any discriminatory action based on a disability caused or aggravated by employment.

i cannot imagine that any court would find his drinking was caused by coaching the Trojans. Then again, courts are not always rational.

 

[SmellyCat]

Firing someone in a public position like this is ALWAYS a big deal and needs lawyers and HR and a lot of other stuff. It's not like in the movies where people just yell it into the phone. I mean, it might be sometimes, but my guess is the suspension is just the first step in getting them to that destination.

 

[PURPLECAT88]

P

i cannot imagine that any court would find his drinking was caused by coaching the Trojans. Then again, courts are not always rational.

Maybe not by coaching specifically, but hearing that damn dirge of a fight song over and over...

 

[Styre]

Hopefully amid all the zeal for firing him, they make an effort to get him the help he so obviously needs to get his life back together rather than taking the first opportunity they can to kick him to the curb.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Maybe not by coaching specifically, but hearing that damn dirge of a fight song over and over...

LOL. That would be bad. Earplugs?

 

[shakes3858]

No answer has ever been found in a bottle. Not sure why people continue to search for them there. What's that saying about the definition of insanity?

As your resident alcoholic, I can take this one. Sometimes you're not looking for answers. Sometimes you're just trying to not look for the answers. Sometimes your mind is racing with thoughts, or ideas, or regrets of things you've said or done (often times while sober) and all you want to do is to not think about it anymore.

Most coaches have pretty active minds (like mine). You have to in order to deal with game planning, setting up practices, recruiting, dealing with boosters, marketing, interviews.... Sometimes it's great to have a few drinks and turn that mind off. Sometimes you need a few more.

How about stuff you regret? Why is Sarkisian getting a divorce? I've heard rumors from people I knew that was involved in Washington athletics. Now that his marriage is falling apart, I'm guessing the regret is sinking in hard. Is Sarkisian looking for an answer with alcohol? In my experience, no. He's using a bottle to stop the constant thinking about what he's done not trying to find the answer.

I've really never understood people that say, you'll never find the answer in a bottle. Sometimes all you want is to stop looking for answer and turn your brain off.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I don't think he meant it literally. I didn't. It's about running from your problems, instead of facing them. But if I really need a distraction to help forget about life for awhile, I'd find something that doesn't poison my liver and leave a nasty hangover. Exercise, driving, model railroading, Mongolian tranny porn...whatever.

 

[T_Levine]

ESPN just reported .... USC FIRED SARKISIAN

 

[Sheffielder]

Ugly situation...don't know anything about Sark as I've never given him more than a moment's thought, but I always pity someone who has to go through this in such a public forum.

 

[Hungry Jack]

There was an unnamed source in the ESPN article who is apparently close to Sark and said that he needed to hit rock bottom in order to face his problems. I think this is it.

 

[NURoseBowl]

As your resident alcoholic, I can take this one. Sometimes you're not looking for answers. Sometimes you're just trying to not look for the answers. Sometimes your mind is racing with thoughts, or ideas, or regrets of things you've said or done (often times while sober) and all you want to do is to not think about it anymore.

Most coaches have pretty active minds (like mine). You have to in order to deal with game planning, setting up practices, recruiting, dealing with boosters, marketing, interviews.... Sometimes it's great to have a few drinks and turn that mind off. Sometimes you need a few more.

How about stuff you regret? Why is Sarkisian getting a divorce? I've heard rumors from people I knew that was involved in Washington athletics. Now that his marriage is falling apart, I'm guessing the regret is sinking in hard. Is Sarkisian looking for an answer with alcohol? In my experience, no. He's using a bottle to stop the constant thinking about what he's done not trying to find the answer.

I've really never understood people that say, you'll never find the answer in a bottle. Sometimes all you want is to stop looking for answer and turn your brain off.

Good insight, Shakes. As someone who's never been drunk, I don't have the perspective that many of us do.

 

[techtim72]

Long story, but I once let an employee go in California who had signed a 90 day trial contract which pretty much permitted us to lay off at our option. He wasn't doing a very good job. During the trial period he had an incidence of DUI that we found out about but it had little to no impact on our decision. We had no idea that he was an alcoholic until he sued us for an improper termination. He sued under California law stating that he was an alcoholic and as such had certain protections. Our attorneys advised us to settle out of court. Approx $100k 20 years ago. One of the reasons employers leave California.

 

[Wildcatfootball12]

We should hire him as our offensive coordinator

/s

 

[Hungry Jack]

Long story, but I once let an employee go in California who had signed a 90 day trial contract which pretty much permitted us to lay off at our option. He wasn't doing a very good job. During the trial period he had an incidence of DUI that we found out about but it had little to no impact on our decision. We had no idea that he was an alcoholic until he sued us for an improper termination. He sued under California law stating that he was an alcoholic and as such had certain protections. Our attorneys advised us to settle out of court. Approx $100k 20 years ago. One of the reasons employers leave California.

Sad to say, but cheaper to settle than to fight in court. The law disgusts me sometimes.