Steve Sarkisian to Take Indefinite Leave of Absence from USC

Reports out of USC are that head coach Steve Sarkisian will take an indefinite leave of absence from the team and offensive coordinator Clay Helton will take over as interim head coach. There's not much information out there, other than vague reports, but Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports said the head coach, who was drunk at a booster event earlier in the year, was sent home from practice today because he was in "no condition to work."

Am told by multiple sources Steve Sarkisian showed up in no condition to work today & #USC brass knows he needs serious help.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) October 11, 2015

#USC will have Steve Sarkisian take a leave of absence, per sources. OC Clay Helton becomes interim HC again
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) October 11, 2015

#USC AD Pat Haden said Steve Sarkisian is not healthy and asked him to take an indefinite leave of absence. pic.twitter.com/NT3g4gJpil
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) October 11, 2015

Haden said he learned about this about an hour and 15 minutes ago.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) October 11, 2015

Haden not taking questions about how he knew Sarkisian was not well. No details there.
— Ryan Abraham (@insidetroy) October 11, 2015

Joe Schad also reported that Sarkisian would be taking a leave of absence and "seek treatment." Obviously we know what that sounds like, but it's not entirely clear what "seek treatment" means. Sarkisian did say he was going to get treatment and swear off alcohol after the incident at the booster event, but we don't know if he ever did.

Clay Helton took over duties immediately and sat in on the press conference with Haden and discussed USC's upcoming game against Notre Dame. Helton has been in this situation before: after Lane Kiffin was fired, interim coach Ed Orgeron appointed him offensive coordinator and when Sarkisian was hired as full-time head coach, Orgeron left the program before USC's game against Fresno State in the Las Vegas Bowl. Helton was named interim coach for that game and served as offensive coordinator as well.

Update: Scott Wolf of the Los Angeles Daily News has some more information and it sounds pretty bad. Assistant Coaches claim Sarkisian coached a game drunk and players said he was drunk at a meeting this morning.

BREAKING: Players noticed Steve Sarkisian not sober at special teams meeting this morning #USC
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 11, 2015

BREAKING: Some #USC assistant coaches believed Steve Sarkisian was drunk during the Arizona State game on Sept. 26.
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 11, 2015

BREAKING: Some #USC assistant coaches believed Steve Sarkisian was drunk during the Arizona State game on Sept. 26.
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 11, 2015

"His eyes didn't look right, he was too animated,'' said one #USC coach
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 11, 2015

BREAKING: #USC assistants pulled Steve Sarkisian out of player huddle on sideline during Arizona State game. Believed he was not sober
— InsideUSC (@InsideUSC) October 11, 2015