After three exceptional seasons in which he brought home two Archie Griffin Awards, a Heisman Trophy, and a National Championship, it’s clear that legendary Trojans quarterback Matt Leinart takes a lot of pride in USC Football. So needless to say, he wasn’t too pleased about current head coach Steve Sarkisian soiling the good name of the university with his inebriated buffoonery.
Appearing Friday on the Yahoo Sports podcast “Grandstanding,” the now 32-year-old Leinart was critical of Sarkisian, openly condemning the coach’s drunken actions at USC’s Salute to Troy event on Saturday night (video here).
“Obviously, what he did is inappropriate and unacceptable,” said Leinart. “He understands that. That’s not how you represent any college, let alone USC, but I think he’s handled it like a man. I buy his apology. He understands that it’s not tolerated, and it can’t happen again.”
Sark and Leinart know each other very well as Sarkisian served as the Trojans’ quarterback coach for much of Leinart’s time at the university. But that doesn’t mean Leinart was willing to turn a blind eye to his former coach’s boneheaded behavior.
Sarkisian has blamed the combination of alcohol and medication for his conduct, while also offering numerous apologies and saying that he will seek treatment. But calls for disciplinary action and potentially even his job have persisted. And perhaps they will grow a little bit louder after the public tongue-lashing by Leinart, one of the most beloved figures in the history of Trojan Football, though Leinart might want to make sure his house is in order before calling out others.
H/T Yahoo! Sports
