Butler coach Brandon Miller is a taking a leave of absence for medical reasons, the university announced on Thursday. Miller is entering his second season as head coach of the Bulldogs after taking over for current Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens. Assistant Chris Holtmann will serve as the interim coach.
The Bulldogs were 14-17 in their first season under Miller, which was also the program's first season in the Big East. It was only the second time in the last eight seasons Butler missed the NCAA Tournament. Stevens put the program on the map by guiding the Bulldogs to back-to-back appearances in the national championship game in 2010 and 2011.
Butler is expected to be led by junior guard Kellen Dunham this season, who led the team in scoring at 16.4 points per game a year ago. Senior big man Kameron Woods, Butler's third leading scorer last season, will be counted on for interior scoring and rebounding. Woods averaged nine rebounds per game last year.
Miller has had problems keeping players in the program since taking over for Stevens. Elijah Brown, son of former NBA coach Mike Brown, became the fourth player to transfer since mid-February earlier this offseason.