Butler Head Coach Brandon Miller Taking Medical Leave of Absence

The Butler Bulldogs college basketball team is looking to make a big splash in its second Big East season, but it will have to do so without head coach Brandon Miller for an indefinite amount of time.

According to Jeff Borzello of CBSSports.com, the university announced that the 35-year-old coach is taking a medical leave of absence:

In a statement by Butler Vice President and Director of Athletics Barry Collier, courtesy of WTHR Channel 13, the specific reasoning for Miller's hiatus was not revealed.    

"Brandon Miller has requested a leave of absence for medical reasons, which the university has granted," Collier said. "We are not in a position to further elaborate and we ask that everyone respect Brandon's privacy."

Jeff Goodman of ESPN had more insights into Miller's absence:

Miller took over as Butler's head coach last season after Brad Stevens departed for the NBA's Boston Celtics. In addition to playing point guard for the Bulldogs from 2000 through 2003, Miller served as an assistant coach at Butler, Ohio State and Illinois.

While Miller had big shoes to fill since Stevens took Butler to the National Championship Game on two occasions, he led the Bulldogs to a record of just 14-17. That coincided with a move from the Horizon League to the Big East, though, so a transitional period was to be expected.

With Miller currently away, assistant coach Chris Holtmann will serve as the interim head coach, according to WTHR Channel 13. Holtmann has previous head coaching experience as he served in that position with Gardner-Webb from 2010 through 2013.

Ted Richardson/Associated Press

Butler's season starts against Maine on Nov. 15, so the players only have about six weeks to get acclimated to Holtmann being the dominant voice in the huddle.

It remains to be seen if Miller will be able to return at any point during the 2014-15 campaign, but those involved with college basketball are certainly hopeful that Miller is able to overcome whatever ailment he may be dealing with and return to the sidelines as soon as possible.

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