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Steve Sarkisian Breaks Silence, Wishes USC Football Well vs. Notre Dame

By Alicia de Artola

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Steve Sarkisian spoke out for the first time since his firing as the USC football coach, thanking supporters for well-wishes and offering support to the Trojans as they gear up to face Notre Dame.

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“I would like to thank everyone for their huge outpouring of support and well wishes,” Sarkisian’s message began. “This is a very difficult time for my family and me. I am facing these challenges the best I can and your support helps immensely.”

The former Trojan head coach also had addressed his team saying, “I wish my Trojans the best against Notre Dame and for the remainder of the season. No one will be cheering them on more than me. Fight On!”

Sarkisian was terminated by USC officially on Monday after it was announced that he would be taking a leave of absence from the program on Sunday.

When Sarkisian attended unit meetings on Sunday morning players and staff reportedly believed him to be acting out of the ordinary and athletic director Pat Haden determined that he was “not healthy” and not fit to coach.

With a prior controversy involving Sarkisian and alcohol at the annual Salute to Troy booster event before the start of the 2015 season already on the record, Haden and USC decided to part ways with the second-year head coach.

On Tuesday it was revealed that Haden had not spoken to Sarkisian since their conversation on Sunday and that he had been fired via email because he could not be reached while flying to an out-of-state treatment facility.

This is the first time that Sarkisian has spoken out in any form since the events of the weekend unfolded.

His Twitter bio now reads “Father & Football Coach” with a link to an inactive CoachSark.com.

The Trojans move forward from the Sarkisian era this Saturday with a contest against rival Notre Dame in South Bend. Clay Helton will take the reins as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

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