Steve Sarkisian files wrongful termination lawsuit against USC

— -- Former Trojans coach Steve Sarkisian on Monday filed suit against USC, saying the school wrongfully terminated him as head football coach this fall.

According to the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Sarkisian alleges that the university fired him without accommodating his efforts to seek treatment for his "disability."

Sarkisian was on a flight to enter alcohol rehabilitation treatment on Oct. 12, 2015, when he was fired via email by athletic director Pat Haden.

The suit asserts that Sarkisian has, at times, been "a person with a disability" because of his alcoholism, under federal law, and the stress of his job contributed to his alcohol dependency.

"Under the circumstances of this case, California law required USC to make reasonable accommodation of giving Steve Sarkisian time off to get help for his disability and then return to his job," according to the lawsuit. "Instead, USC ignored both its obligations under California law and the commitments it made to Steve Sarkisian."

The suit says that Sarkisian is now sober and ready to return to coaching, but USC "has taken away his team, his income and a job that he loved." The suit also alleges that USC has violated his contract by refusing to pay him money he is owed.

Sarkisian is seeking damages that include lost wages and payment for emotional distress along with punitive damages against USC.