Dec 7, 2015 3 min read

Steve Sarkisian sued the University of Southern California on Monday, alleging the school breached the football coach’s contract and discriminated against him on the basis of a disability when it fired him this fall.

Sarkisian’s attorneys also alleged wrongful termination and invasion of privacy in the complaint filed in Los Angeles County Court. Sarkisian contends he is owed at least $12.6 million left on his USC contract, along with other damages for “extreme mental anguish.”

“Instead of honoring the contract it made with Steve Sarkisian, USC kicked him to the curb,” the lawsuit reads.

USC spokesman Carl Marziali said the school won’t comment on pending litigation.

In the 31-page lawsuit, Sarkisian gives his first detailed public descriptions of the events surrounding his firing Oct. 12, five games into his second season in one of the highest-profile jobs in college football.

The coach said he was fired by email, one day after athletic director Pat Haden put Sarkisian on a leave of absence when Haden said Sarkisian showed up to the school in no condition to work.

Sarkisian claims he should have been allowed to seek treatment for his alcoholism disability while keeping his job. The lawsuit describes Sarkisian’s descent into alcohol dependency in steady detail, citing the extraordinary stress of the USC job combined with his wife’s decision to file for divorce earlier this year.

Sarkisian also says he has completed inpatient treatment and a detoxification program during more than 30 days in rehabilitation. He has stopped taking medications prescribed by a USC doctor, and is sleeping well “for the first time in over 20 years.”

“Steve Sarkisian was ready to return to work, both physically and emotionally and in time to coach USC’s two remaining games of the regular season and any games beyond that,” the lawsuit reads. “Unfortunately, there was no job waiting for him. Steve Sarkisian took responsibility for getting help for his disability. USC refuses to honor its responsibilities.”

Muschamp picked for South Carolina job: Will Muschamp has received a 5-year, $16 million deal to lead the South Carolina football program.

University trustees approved the contract Monday morning, a day after South Carolina announced he would replace Steve Spurrier. Muschamp’s contract pays him $3 million in the first year, increases each year after by $100,000 and contains a variety of incentives.

Ash hired by Rutgers: Ohio State defensive coordinator Chris Ash has been hired to coach Rutgers. Rutgers’ board of governors approved Ash’s contract Monday.

The 41-year-old Ash has been defensive coordinator at Ohio State the past two seasons, building the defense into a top 20 unit nationally.