Southern Cal puts coach Sarkisian on indefinite leave

Trojans’ troubled leader ‘not healthy,’ no-show at practice.

Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian is taking an indefinite leave of absence after athletic director Pat Haden determined that the troubled coach is “not healthy.”

Haden announced the decision in a hastily called news conference Sunday after Sarkisian didn’t show up for practice.

“I think it’s the right thing for our team, and I’ve always got to do what’s right for our team and for our school,” Haden said.

Offensive coordinator Clay Helton will take charge of the Trojans (3-2, 1-2 Pac-12), who have lost two of their last three games. USC visits No. 14 Notre Dame (5-1) on Sat- urday.

Haden wasn’t specific about the reasons for Sarkisian’s absence, only saying that “it was very clear to me” that the second-year USC coach was unwell. Haden asked Sarkisian to take a leave during a phone conversation.

Sarkisian publicly apologized before the season after he appeared to be intoxicated while making an unsteady public state- ment at the Salute to Troy pep rally. He announced he would be getting unspecified treatment, but didn’t believe he had a drinking problem, blaming his appearance on combining alcohol and medication.

Sarkisian is 12-6 during his short tenure leading the talented Trojans, who were dropped from the AP Top 25 after losing 17-12 to unranked Washington last Thursday. Sarkisian had been on the road recruiting during the long weekend, but apparently wasn’t in condition to lead practice Sunday, according to Haden.

Maryland: Less than four months after signing a contract extension through 2019, Maryland football coach Randy Edsall was fired Sunday.

The dismissal, a day after the Terps lost at No. 1 Ohio State 49-28 in the team’s third straight blowout defeat, ends Edsall’s five-year tenure in College Park with an overall record of 22-34. He is due to receive $2.6 million from Maryland — his base pay for 2016 plus the guaranteed portion of his extension.

Assistant head coach/ outside linebackers coach Lyndon Johnson also was fired. Maryland (2-4, 0-2 Big Ten) has a bye week before it plays Penn State on Oct. 24.