Gillispie on sick leave

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech men’s basketball coach Billy Gillispie is on indefinite sick leave while his bosses investigate allegations that he mistreated his players during practices.

Athletics department spokesman Blayne Beal said Monday that Gillispie is taking sick days and it was not clear how long he will be out. The Texas native who is entering his second year as coach of the Red Raiders did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The school announced Aug. 31 that it had opened an investigation into alleged mistreatment of players by Gillispie. Earlier that day, and hours before he was to meet with athletic director Kirby Hocutt, Gillispie called 911 and was taken to a Lubbock hospital. He told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal he thought he was having a heart attack or a stroke. He was released after six days in the hospital.

Last Wednesday, Hocutt said players met with him to discuss how they were being treated by Gillispie.

“If these allegations are proven to be true then I will be extremely upset and disappointed and will handle accordingly,” Hocutt said then.