Steve Sarkisian update: Is USC coach out?

Steve Sarkisian was reportedly absent from USC’s Sunday practice.

What a week of turmoil it’s been for the USC football program. On Thursday night, the Trojans fell limply to the Washington Huskies, 17-12, at home in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. A Washington Huskies team, mind you, led by Chris Petersen, who interviewed with and was reportedly turned away by USC, who favored Sarkisian.

Then, on Sunday, reports started to trickle through the web that Sarkisian did not attend the team’s practice.

Moreover, several members of USC’s athletics department were at the practice, including athletic director Pat Haden, despite the head coach’s absence.

Billowing smoke to an eventual firing? Lindsey Thiry of the Los Angeles Times reports that Haden asked Sarkisian to take a leave of absence on Sunday.

Others, like Bleacher Report’s Bryan Fischer, have heard that Sarkisian was sent home, but nothing about taking a leave of absence.

Prior to the season, Sarkisian was drunkenly pulled off stage at a USC fundraising event. After effusive apologies and reprimands from Haden, the coach announced that he would seek treatment. Given this backstory and the abrupt nature of his missing Sunday’s practice, there is further speculation that the coach may have relapsed, and showed up at practice in less than stellar condition.

Nothing has been confirmed regarding Sarkisian’s state of being or employment, and neither Haden nor the school have addressed the media yet. We’ll continue to update as the situation unfolds.