Oct 12, 2015 11:00 AM EDT By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The University of Southern California (USC) is seemingly allowing Steve Sarkisian to take care of himself away from the football team, as the head coach will take an indefinite leave of absence.

While USC Athletic Director Pat Haden did not disclose a reason for asking Sarkisian to step aside, unnamed sources indicated to ESPN it was for alcohol abuse. Sarkisian reportedly arrived at the school's football facility on Sunday intoxicated and was asked to leave early.

"[Sarkisian] appeared not normal," one unnamed source told ESPN regarding Sunday's incident. "They wouldn't let him come to practice."

USC's offensive coordinator, Clay Helton, will take over as the Trojans' interim head coach.

Sarkisian had a drunken incident before the season started at USC's Salute to Troy event for alumni and donors, for which he later made a public apology. However, the coach indicated he made a poor decision in mixing alcohol with medication and then said he would seek unspecified treatment. He did not indicate he had a problem, whereas the contrary is appearing increasingly true.

"I was at a basketball event earlier today when I got a call to say Sarkisian was not at practice," Haden said in a statement Sunday. "I called Steve and he made it clear to me that he was not healthy, and I asked him to take an indefinite leave of absence. I think this is the right thing for our team."

While Haden would not confirm what health issue Sarkisian is dealing with, The Los Angeles Times released a piece detailing similar erratic behavior when the coach was at Washington, the team USC lost to this past weekend. The newspaper interviewed "more than two dozen people" and "reviewed hundreds of pages of documents" like receipts to bars and restaurants.

"During a stop at a rib joint in Nashville in January 2013, for example, Sarkisian and three assistants ordered four shots of Patron Silver, four shots of an unspecified liquor and five beers," The Times reported. "The coach cashed out at 11:53 a.m."

FOX Sports learned some USC boosters expressed concern about reports of a drinking problem when Haden hired Sarkisian two years ago. The boosters are now displeased with Haden for how recent events have unfolded, the Salute to Troy event in particular.

"They run it like a damn country club," one USC booster told FOX Sports at the time. "It's an embarrassment." 

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