University of Southern California (USC) football coach Steve Sarkisian was fired by the university tagging him as "not healthy" to continue with his role of the team he leads.

The Guardian said this happened a day after the coach was put on leave with athletic director Pat Haden announcing that the coach showed up one day at school "in no condition to lead practice." No further details were revealed.

"After careful consideration of what is in the best interest of the university and our student-athletes, I have made the decision to terminate Steve Sarkisian, effective immediately," Haden's statement read.

He added that the coaching staff and its players have been dealing with the incident pretty well.

"Through all of this we remain concerned for Steve and hope that it will give him the opportunity to focus on his personal well-being," Haded noted.

With his absence, offensive coordinator Clay Helton will function as interim coach.

Though the reason for his leaving the team was not discussed, The Guardian said it could still be due to the August incident where he gave a speech while intoxicated during a pep rally.

The coach has already apologized for the matter explaining that he mixes alcohol with his medication.

In a similar report, ESPN said Sarkisian was asked on Sunday by the team to take an "indefinite leave of absence" due to health reasons.

An ESPN source said that despite this recommendation, Sarkisian still showed up on Monday to the team meetings but he was eventually told to leave.

"They wouldn't let him come to practice," the source added.

The coach is reportedly going through a rough divorce with him turning to alcohol and painkillers to help him atleast act normal during games. However, ESPN added that Sarkisian did not recognize his drinking problem.

Aside from the pep rally incident, Sarkisian was also believed to have come drunk during the Sept. 26 win of USC versus Arizona State University.

Sarkisian's friends and supporters have expressed their hope that the coach will be able to get his life back together.

"It's unfortunate that sometimes the personal things affect the business. We all have to respect Pat Haden and [senior associate athletic director] J.K. McKay and the decision that they made and hope they are moving in the right direction and Sark can get things back together so he can get back on the sideline," said St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher in the ESPN report.

Meanwhile, USC offensive lineman Damien Mama said that the decision on Sarkisian indeed came as a shock to all of them, as per Los Angeles Times.

A parent of another player also mentioned in the same report that the players are really sad with the coach's leaving.

"These kids deserve so much better," she added.