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Sarkisian loses $30M wrongful termination lawsuit against USC

John David Mercer / USA TODAY Sports

An arbitrator has ruled that USC did not wrongfully terminate former head coach Steve Sarkisian, who filed a $30-million lawsuit against the school after it fired him following several public incidents related to alcohol issues.

"I am disappointed in the decision, but we will respect it and move on," Sarkisian - who's now the Atlanta Falcons' offensive coordinator - said Monday in a statement, per the Los Angeles Times' Nathan Fenno. "Much gratitude to everyone who has shown their support and stood by me.

"The last two years have been trying, but I am in now a great place, healthy, happy, and loving my job with the Falcons and have the support of my family and friends and that’s where my focus is and will remain."

Sarkisian's wrongful termination suit argued USC should've helped with his alcoholism because it was a "recognized disability under California law."

Sarkisian was drunk during a speech at a Salute to Troy event in August 2015. He later apologized and attributed his behavior to mixing alcohol with medication. However, Sarkisian was fired in October 2015 after another alcohol-related incident in the days following a USC loss to Washington.

"Sarkisian must bear sole responsibility for having actively concealed from USC his claimed disabilities," the arbitrator said in documents obtained by TMZ.

The suit sought the $12.6 million remaining on Sarkisian's contract as well as damages.

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