Jim Calhoun Taking Indefinite Medical Leave Of Absence

Connecticut Huskies head coach Jim Calhoun will take an indefinite medical leave of absence starting immediately, according to a release from UConn Athletics Communications. Calhoun is dealing with a worsening case of spinal stenosis, a lower back condition that causes intense pain and hinders mobility.

Calhoun also took a leave of absence for several weeks in 2010. According to Dr. Peter Schulman at the UConn Healthy Center, Calhoun has been coping with this condition for months now.

"Last summer, Jim had some significant back pain and has seen two excellent back specialists," Schulman said. "The initial approach recommended to him was stretching, physical therapy and exercise, and that was successful for several months. It turns out that there is some degenerative problem in the lumbar vertebrae and it's impinging on the nerves. It has led to significant back pain and some symptoms in his lower extremities.

"Jim has been able to manage it with the physical therapy and stretching, but over the last several days, things have become worse and he is not able to deal with this on a day to day basis, so other options need to be considered. Right now, he is physically unable to coach."

According to the release, Calhoun will not coach Saturday's game against Seton Hall, nor Monday's game at Louisville. Associate head coach George Blaney will assume head coaching duties until Calhoun is deemed fit to return to the bench.

For more on Calhoun and the Huskies, head over to the SB Nation blog The UConn Blog.