Steve Sarkisian Apologized, Now Let’s Focus On The Real Issue
Well I guess that’s what happens when you mix alcohol with medication.
At least that’s what Steve Sarkisian claims happened at Salute to Troy last Saturday.
Sark also said he doesn’t believe he has a drinking problem but he will seek help to find out for sure.
It is also worth mentioning that USC released a statement yesterday saying it has banned alcohol from the locker room on game days from now on. Coach Sark clarified this morning that was aimed at the coaching staff rather than the players directly.
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Let’s stop right there — is it really common practice to have alcohol present in the locker room?
I mean I’ve seen my coaches drinking after games but never in the locker room.
There’s nothing wrong with going to the local dive bar after a game or getting a pitcher at a pizza joint.
Am I crazy?
He also alluded to the fact that it was only the coaches who would drink and that is was for big wins.
If that is the case they must have done most of their drinking on the road last season.
I was at every home game last season and I personally don’t recall any big wins at the home games outside of the Notre Dame game.
Granted, I’d give anyone a pass for drinking after that ASU game.
On a lighter note this is all hopefully in the past now.
Sarkisian appeared genuinely sorry and remorseful of his actions.
At no point did I feel this was an offense worth firing him for but, I do think he got off pretty easy here.
They probably could have suspended him for the opener just to send a clear message.
Besides, they play Arkansas State I think about half the stadium could coach that game and get a win.
On a serious note, I’ll reiterate what I said when this story first broke — Sark has put himself in a position where he cannot fail to meet expectations this season.
The Trojans cannot afford another Boston College type of game and especially not a repeat of the Arizona State fiasco (especially now that we know “they suck”).
If anything, this has added a bit more pressure to the Men of Troy to have a great season.
Hopefully this is the last time any of this will have to be thoroughly discussed and if so Sark comes away as not really a loser in all of this.
There was however one BIG winner when Sark took the stage Saturday.
In truth that is the real tragedy in all of this mess.
While the media (including myself) took to hammering Steve Sarkisian, Art Briles quietly grinned and stepped into the shadows.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about please read up on the situation at Baylor. The short version is that a defensive end transferred to Baylor from Boise State.
That player was Sam Ukwuachu.
He was dismissed from Boise State after an incident where he threatened his girlfriend and a housemate.
He then sat out all of last season at Baylor but remained on the team after “going through some issues.”
Bottom Line: It’s over and done with.
Those issues turned out to be an indictment for 2 counts of sexual assault involving a young woman on the Baylor women’s soccer team. He was found guilty on those counts of sexual assault last Thursday and now faces 2-20 years in prison.
I could write a whole series of articles on that situation.
The point is what Sark did was just stupid, but nobody was harmed and he is going to seek help.
What Art Briles did by allowing a bad guy on his team and then keeping him on the team while he was on trial for rape DID harm somebody.