Re: Steve Sarkisian Asked to Take Leave of Absence
He needs to get help but USC has to remove him from his job. The players deserve better.
I think that depends on a couple of things. How severely has he damaged the program? Is it irreparable? Has he damaged the players, staff, administration and university to the extent they cannot recover, forgive and move on? If he does seek treatment, get help, work a program of recovery, will it remain as "cloud of suspicion" over him while there? Those things can't be answered by you or I. It can only be answered by the ones he has damaged or harmed.
Believe me. My addiction did tremendous harm to family and friends. My wife had no good reason in the world to stay with me. And if my family and friends would have chosen to be done with me, I had no one to blame but myself. Lucky for me, they chose to stick by me. And in August we celebrated our 30th anniversary. We are closer today as a husband, wife and family than we ever have been. And I thank God every day for it was grace, goodness and forgiveness that I did not deserve.
Bottom line: As I tell addicts and alcoholics I work with all the time in sponsorship, Sark doesn't control the decisions from this point. He is responsible for the consequences of his actions regardless of his intent. All he can do is admit to the damage caused, say it was his fault, and do whatever it takes to make it right. And sometimes there is NOTHING you can do to make it right because the party or problem can't be amended.
And that is part of acceptance and surrender.