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USC’s Sarkisian apologizes for drunken speech at team rally

FILE - In this July 31, 2015, file photo, Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian speaks to reporters during NCAA college Pac-12 Football media days in Burbank, Calif. Sarkisian apologized Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, for his behavior and inappropriate language at a team event Saturday. Sarkisian issued a written apology on the school’s official website the morning after the Salute to Troy, a reception held before each season for the football team, alumni and athletic program donors, after several people who attended the event said on social media that the second-year Trojans coach appeared to be drunk while using profane language in praising his team. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File) FILE - In this July 31, 2015, file photo, Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian speaks to reporters during NCAA college Pac-12 Football media days in Burbank, Calif. Sarkisian apologized Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, for his behavior and inappropriate language at a team event Saturday. Sarkisian issued a written apology on the school’s official website the morning after the Salute to Troy, a reception held before each season for the football team, alumni and athletic program donors, after several people who attended the event said on social media that the second-year Trojans coach appeared to be drunk while using profane language in praising his team. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

By Associated Press August 25, 2015 1 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian has publicly apologized for his drunken appearance at a team rally last weekend, attributing his slurred, profane speech to a combination of alcohol and medication.

Before the eighth-ranked Trojans practiced Tuesday morning, Sarkisian made his first public comments about his embarrassing performance at the Salute to Troy last Saturday.

Sarkisian says he doesn’t think he has a drinking problem, but will undergo unspecified treatment to find out. He says he’s banning alcohol from campus and the Coliseum for the coaching staff.

Sarkisian declined to specify what medication he is taking, but says he was impaired after combining it with “not very much” alcohol.

Two players made available to reporters say the team supports Sarkisian, the second-year USC coach who went 9-4 last season.