[76lsjumb]

I don't know why he just didn't say that he was simply recovering from having recovered his nephew from falling into a swimming pool.  After all, their SID already has the press releases for that printed up from this same event last year...

[76lsjumb]

I don't know why he just didn't say that he was simply recovering from having recovered his nephew from falling into a swimming pool.  After all, their SID already has the press releases for that printed up from this same event last year...

[Mick]

Sark should have followed Cris Carter's advice and had a fall guy from his crew...

[Mick]

Sark should have followed Cris Carter's advice and had a fall guy from his crew...

[OutsiderFan]

Some thoughts:

1) Alcoholism is a serious disease with potentially devastating consequences.  Obviously the affected individual can suffer horrible consequences, but the disease can also cause serious collateral damage.  As such, though I love USChaddenfraude as much as the next person, I take little joy in the episode if it is truly a sign of a substance use disorder.

2) I wouldn't even attempt to diagnose a substance use disorder over the internet.  However, some of the hallmarks of substance use disorders include: problems controlling intake of alcohol, continued use of alcohol despite problems resulting from drinking, development of a tolerance, drinking that leads to risky situations, or the development of withdrawal symptoms. The events as described suggest that this is a possibility with Sarkisian.

3) Saying, "I don't know if I need to go to rehab" usually means you need to go to rehab (or you need some sort of treatment).  The problem, as others suggested is that this sort of denial (if someone does suffer from a substance abuse problem) also means that rehab is unlikely to be effective.

4) If Sarkisian does indeed have an alcohol abuse disorder, the road is likely to be long and difficult.  Much as I don't like him as an opposing coach of a particularly disliked team, especially a seemingly weasily one, I do hope that if he seeks treatment that it will be successful, and that he comes out a better person for it.

BC

Well, whether he deserves sympathy for having a disease or not, it doesn't change the fact the guy is a douche bag.  He's taken the low road publicly on more than one occasion, so maybe "Karma is a bitch" might appropriately apply in this case?

[OutsiderFan]

Some thoughts:

1) Alcoholism is a serious disease with potentially devastating consequences.  Obviously the affected individual can suffer horrible consequences, but the disease can also cause serious collateral damage.  As such, though I love USChaddenfraude as much as the next person, I take little joy in the episode if it is truly a sign of a substance use disorder.

2) I wouldn't even attempt to diagnose a substance use disorder over the internet.  However, some of the hallmarks of substance use disorders include: problems controlling intake of alcohol, continued use of alcohol despite problems resulting from drinking, development of a tolerance, drinking that leads to risky situations, or the development of withdrawal symptoms. The events as described suggest that this is a possibility with Sarkisian.

3) Saying, "I don't know if I need to go to rehab" usually means you need to go to rehab (or you need some sort of treatment).  The problem, as others suggested is that this sort of denial (if someone does suffer from a substance abuse problem) also means that rehab is unlikely to be effective.

4) If Sarkisian does indeed have an alcohol abuse disorder, the road is likely to be long and difficult.  Much as I don't like him as an opposing coach of a particularly disliked team, especially a seemingly weasily one, I do hope that if he seeks treatment that it will be successful, and that he comes out a better person for it.

BC

Well, whether he deserves sympathy for having a disease or not, it doesn't change the fact the guy is a douche bag.  He's taken the low road publicly on more than one occasion, so maybe "Karma is a bitch" might appropriately apply in this case?

[washingtonismoney]

The publications I've been at do after-work happy hours frequently, which introduces a sort of gray-area uncertainty -- is this work or not-work? I can see how Sarkisian might've felt similarly. Still, most individuals end up playing it safe (and drinking only a little).

[washingtonismoney]

The publications I've been at do after-work happy hours frequently, which introduces a sort of gray-area uncertainty -- is this work or not-work? I can see how Sarkisian might've felt similarly. Still, most individuals end up playing it safe (and drinking only a little).

[socalstanfan1]

My first thought when hearing about Sarkisian's rant was not so much that he was an alcoholic, but that he is an Animal House style frat-boy who never grew up.  That continues to be my impression: a guy who is may be so out of touch with what is expected from a HC at a major institution, particularly when speaking to major financial supporters of the program, that he may just think its all in good fun to get loaded and cut loose.  This goes back to my earlier comment about the Ups and Downs that the team meted out as punishment, and the fact that he may not see that as humiliating so much as brotherly bonding.  Of course, it's entirely possible that Sarkisian is both an immature boy with a Peter Pan complex, AND has an alcohol problem.

Both Lane Kiffin and Sarkisian, two of Pete Carrol's hot-shot assistants have had this similar kind of immature personality (and interestingly Kiffin also apparently encouraged drinking in the coaches locker room. Makes me wonder what the policy was when Pete Carrol was coaching.)  That's quite a coaching tree old Petey is developing. 

[socalstanfan1]

My first thought when hearing about Sarkisian's rant was not so much that he was an alcoholic, but that he is an Animal House style frat-boy who never grew up.  That continues to be my impression: a guy who is may be so out of touch with what is expected from a HC at a major institution, particularly when speaking to major financial supporters of the program, that he may just think its all in good fun to get loaded and cut loose.  This goes back to my earlier comment about the Ups and Downs that the team meted out as punishment, and the fact that he may not see that as humiliating so much as brotherly bonding.  Of course, it's entirely possible that Sarkisian is both an immature boy with a Peter Pan complex, AND has an alcohol problem.

Both Lane Kiffin and Sarkisian, two of Pete Carrol's hot-shot assistants have had this similar kind of immature personality (and interestingly Kiffin also apparently encouraged drinking in the coaches locker room. Makes me wonder what the policy was when Pete Carrol was coaching.)  That's quite a coaching tree old Petey is developing. 

[Roberton3]

I can count on two fingers the number of professionals that I've seen that got that drunk at a work function.

...I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alchoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety.

Mick didn't say "got drunk" -- he said "got that drunk".  And in my earlier comment I said I'd never been "drunker than I should have been" at a work function.  I've been drunk at work functions, but only those where it was completely appropriate to do so (indeed, in almost every case, drinking any less would have been a faux pas).

The point here isn't that Sark got drunk.  It's that he got drunk enough to make him and his employer look bad.

[Roberton3]

I can count on two fingers the number of professionals that I've seen that got that drunk at a work function.

...I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alchoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety.

Mick didn't say "got drunk" -- he said "got that drunk".  And in my earlier comment I said I'd never been "drunker than I should have been" at a work function.  I've been drunk at work functions, but only those where it was completely appropriate to do so (indeed, in almost every case, drinking any less would have been a faux pas).

The point here isn't that Sark got drunk.  It's that he got drunk enough to make him and his employer look bad.

[Mick]

[quote author=garvin link=topic=12567.msg125580#msg125580 date=1440601109]

I can count on two fingers the number of professionals that I've seen that got that drunk at a work function.

...I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alchoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety.

Mick didn't say "got drunk" -- he said "got that drunk".  And in my earlier comment I said I'd never been "drunker than I should have been" at a work function.  I've been drunk at work functions, but only those where it was completely appropriate to do so (indeed, in almost every case, drinking any less would have been a faux pas).

The point here isn't that Sark got drunk.  It's that he got drunk enough to make him and his employer look bad.
[/quote]

You picked that up correctly, I was referring to people who got so plowed at a work function that a YouTube video would be almost unwatchable.  I've been to plenty of convivial holiday parties where people took taxis or buses or had designated rivers.  I was referring to Sark's level of inebriation which causes him to lose control of basic social skills and awareness, IMHO.  Only seen that twice over the years.

[Mick]

[quote author=garvin link=topic=12567.msg125580#msg125580 date=1440601109]

I can count on two fingers the number of professionals that I've seen that got that drunk at a work function.

...I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alchoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety.

Mick didn't say "got drunk" -- he said "got that drunk".  And in my earlier comment I said I'd never been "drunker than I should have been" at a work function.  I've been drunk at work functions, but only those where it was completely appropriate to do so (indeed, in almost every case, drinking any less would have been a faux pas).

The point here isn't that Sark got drunk.  It's that he got drunk enough to make him and his employer look bad.
[/quote]

You picked that up correctly, I was referring to people who got so plowed at a work function that a YouTube video would be almost unwatchable.  I've been to plenty of convivial holiday parties where people took taxis or buses or had designated rivers.  I was referring to Sark's level of inebriation which causes him to lose control of basic social skills and awareness, IMHO.  Only seen that twice over the years.

[Spiny_Norman]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=12567.msg125479#msg125479 date=1440515681]
Sark was ... mixing medications and alcohol:

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/stat...5145684992

And is going to rehab BUT DEFINITELY DOESN'T NEED TO:

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/stat...8452149248

Yo Sark, you're either an alcoholic or you're not.  There's no sort of there, and there's no sort of in rehab either you are or you aren't.
[/quote]

Sark can say what he wants about his impairment being linked to mixing alcohol and medication.  But someone who met him just before he stepped onto the podium said that he "reeked" of alcohol.

[Spiny_Norman]

[quote author=washingtonismoney link=topic=12567.msg125479#msg125479 date=1440515681]
Sark was ... mixing medications and alcohol:

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/stat...5145684992

And is going to rehab BUT DEFINITELY DOESN'T NEED TO:

https://twitter.com/BruceFeldmanCFB/stat...8452149248

Yo Sark, you're either an alcoholic or you're not.  There's no sort of there, and there's no sort of in rehab either you are or you aren't.
[/quote]

Sark can say what he wants about his impairment being linked to mixing alcohol and medication.  But someone who met him just before he stepped onto the podium said that he "reeked" of alcohol.

[fishman]

"I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alcoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety."

I don't think the comparisons to newsrooms' afterhours drinking, etc. have much validity.

•This is the guy who's supposed to be the leader of the group being featured (i.e. the team) at the event
•This is the guy who's the featured speaker and focus of the event
•The audience includes his team's biggest financial supporters and boosters
•The audience also includes the members of the team he's supposed to be leading
•This isn't just a routine everyday event, it's the showcase for the upcoming year
•His direct bosses are present and closely watching his performance

He may or may not be an alcoholic. but this incident is definitely not remotely comparable to "having a few with the boys"
during or after work!

[fishman]

"I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alcoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety."

I don't think the comparisons to newsrooms' afterhours drinking, etc. have much validity.

•This is the guy who's supposed to be the leader of the group being featured (i.e. the team) at the event
•This is the guy who's the featured speaker and focus of the event
•The audience includes his team's biggest financial supporters and boosters
•The audience also includes the members of the team he's supposed to be leading
•This isn't just a routine everyday event, it's the showcase for the upcoming year
•His direct bosses are present and closely watching his performance

He may or may not be an alcoholic. but this incident is definitely not remotely comparable to "having a few with the boys"
during or after work!

[Extra Point]

And Anacin.

I am not buying the medication defense either.

[Extra Point]

And Anacin.

I am not buying the medication defense either.

[CornFed]

"I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alcoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety."

I don't think the comparisons to newsrooms' afterhours drinking, etc. have much validity.

•This is the guy who's supposed to be the leader of the group being featured (i.e. the team) at the event
•This is the guy who's the featured speaker and focus of the event
•The audience includes his team's biggest financial supporters and boosters
•The audience also includes the members of the team he's supposed to be leading
•This isn't just a routine everyday event, it's the showcase for the upcoming year
•His direct bosses are present and closely watching his performance

He may or may not be an alcoholic. but this incident is definitely not remotely comparable to "having a few with the boys"
during or after work!

I think it is beyond the ken of this board in this specific situation to reach some definitive conclusion about whether or not Sark is an alcoholic.  The primary symptom for that diagnosis would be the person's inability to control his drinking.  An outsider's insight to such a diagnosis would be entirely reliant upon repeated incidents of drinking in settings or in a manner that suggests a lack of control.  This was certainly a setting in which drunkenness should appropriately raise the topic of alcohol abuse for Sark, hopefully, but certainly for those in his personal and professional circle on his behalf at least.

Ultimately, the cure for the affliction is entirely dependent upon the diagnosis being reached by the patient.  It is almost always the case that the people around the person affected reach the diagnosis far earlier than the patient themselves.  That will frequently lead to the alcoholic trying to disguise or hide their drinking.  When caught the first few times the excuse of mixing medications is one of the most common tropes, mainly because it might be true.

[CornFed]

"I'm not defending Sarkisian, whose behavior was boorish at best. But the mere fact that he was under the influence at a banquet does not strike me, in and of itself, as evidence that he's an alcoholic or has lost all sense of professional propriety."

I don't think the comparisons to newsrooms' afterhours drinking, etc. have much validity.

•This is the guy who's supposed to be the leader of the group being featured (i.e. the team) at the event
•This is the guy who's the featured speaker and focus of the event
•The audience includes his team's biggest financial supporters and boosters
•The audience also includes the members of the team he's supposed to be leading
•This isn't just a routine everyday event, it's the showcase for the upcoming year
•His direct bosses are present and closely watching his performance

He may or may not be an alcoholic. but this incident is definitely not remotely comparable to "having a few with the boys"
during or after work!

I think it is beyond the ken of this board in this specific situation to reach some definitive conclusion about whether or not Sark is an alcoholic.  The primary symptom for that diagnosis would be the person's inability to control his drinking.  An outsider's insight to such a diagnosis would be entirely reliant upon repeated incidents of drinking in settings or in a manner that suggests a lack of control.  This was certainly a setting in which drunkenness should appropriately raise the topic of alcohol abuse for Sark, hopefully, but certainly for those in his personal and professional circle on his behalf at least.

Ultimately, the cure for the affliction is entirely dependent upon the diagnosis being reached by the patient.  It is almost always the case that the people around the person affected reach the diagnosis far earlier than the patient themselves.  That will frequently lead to the alcoholic trying to disguise or hide their drinking.  When caught the first few times the excuse of mixing medications is one of the most common tropes, mainly because it might be true.

[Leftcoast]

Well ... Sark's recent statements employ a mix of denial and minimization. 

"I took medication, mixed it with alcohol -- not a lot, fortunately -- and I responded in a way that was not acceptable.

  Emphasis mine

Time for the internet to move on although I suspect Haden will be watching his highest paid employee very closely.

[Leftcoast]

Well ... Sark's recent statements employ a mix of denial and minimization. 

"I took medication, mixed it with alcohol -- not a lot, fortunately -- and I responded in a way that was not acceptable.

  Emphasis mine

Time for the internet to move on although I suspect Haden will be watching his highest paid employee very closely.

[CowboyIndian]

I've been to plenty of convivial holiday parties where people .... had designated rivers.

Unfortunately, I have never been this drunk. I aspire to the Missouri, though.

[CowboyIndian]

I've been to plenty of convivial holiday parties where people .... had designated rivers.

Unfortunately, I have never been this drunk. I aspire to the Missouri, though.

[washingtonismoney]

[quote author=Mick link=topic=12567.msg125598#msg125598 date=1440614645]
I've been to plenty of convivial holiday parties where people .... had designated rivers.

Unfortunately, I have never been this drunk. I aspire to the Missouri, though.
[/quote]

Good choice. Spelling Mississippi, or worse, Wapsipinicon, is too difficult.

[washingtonismoney]

[quote author=Mick link=topic=12567.msg125598#msg125598 date=1440614645]
I've been to plenty of convivial holiday parties where people .... had designated rivers.

Unfortunately, I have never been this drunk. I aspire to the Missouri, though.
[/quote]

Good choice. Spelling Mississippi, or worse, Wapsipinicon, is too difficult.

[winflop]

[quote author=garvin link=topic=12567.msg125605#msg125605 date=1440616832]
And Anacin.

I am not buying the medication defense either.
[/quote]

If they guy is taking prescription meds that affect his alcohol tolerance, he should KNOW that's the case and should adjust his drinking accordingly.  For me it's just another sign that a) he can't control his drinking, and b) he's making excuses for his lack of control.  Both of those things scream alcoholic.

Not to mention he's getting divorced and selling his $9.5M house as part of the settlement.

I hope he gets his life straightened out.  Might make him a better coach.

[winflop]

[quote author=garvin link=topic=12567.msg125605#msg125605 date=1440616832]
And Anacin.

I am not buying the medication defense either.
[/quote]

If they guy is taking prescription meds that affect his alcohol tolerance, he should KNOW that's the case and should adjust his drinking accordingly.  For me it's just another sign that a) he can't control his drinking, and b) he's making excuses for his lack of control.  Both of those things scream alcoholic.

Not to mention he's getting divorced and selling his $9.5M house as part of the settlement.

I hope he gets his life straightened out.  Might make him a better coach.

[CowboyIndian]

I hope he gets his life straightened out.  Might make him a better coach.

Why you would want this is a mystery to me.

[CowboyIndian]

I hope he gets his life straightened out.  Might make him a better coach.

Why you would want this is a mystery to me.

[dabigv13]

I'm on board with the immature douche line of thought more so than the alcoholic one. The medication excuse is not any sort of cover for his alcoholism, it's just the cover for him not actually drinking that much. I highly doubt he is on any medication anyway.

Just my humble opinion of course.

[dabigv13]

I'm on board with the immature douche line of thought more so than the alcoholic one. The medication excuse is not any sort of cover for his alcoholism, it's just the cover for him not actually drinking that much. I highly doubt he is on any medication anyway.

Just my humble opinion of course.

[FarmBoy]

Was this posted elsewhere?

https://twitter.com/Pac12Networks/status...2029471748

It just looks bad all around...

[FarmBoy]

Was this posted elsewhere?

https://twitter.com/Pac12Networks/status...2029471748

It just looks bad all around...

[Hansenjohn]

Is he faking an injury in that clip?

[Hansenjohn]

Is he faking an injury in that clip?

[washingtonismoney]

Sark's fellow coaches seem to find him as amusing as we proles do:

https://twitter.com/PaulHeggenWSMV/statu...0771139585

[washingtonismoney]

Sark's fellow coaches seem to find him as amusing as we proles do:

https://twitter.com/PaulHeggenWSMV/statu...0771139585