In the interim, associate head coach George Blaney will take over the reins for the Huskies (11-6, 2-3 Big East), who have lost three straight games to fall out of the Top 25.

"It is my recommendation that Coach Calhoun take a medical leave from his coaching position to address some temporary medical issues, none of which involve any previous medical conditions that he has dealt with," said school physician Peter Schulman.

Calhoun, 67, who is in the midst of his 24th season with the Huskies, has had his share of medical issues during his lengthy tenure with the school. Most recently, he took a nasty spill during a bike race in June and reportedly broke five ribs.

He has also survived cancer three times, including prostate cancer in 2003 and skin cancer in 2008. According to a report in the Hartford Courant, Calhoun's condition is not cardiac-related and is not cancer; he will not be hospitalized.

Calhoun last missed a Huskies game in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament, when the Huskies beat Tennessee-Chattanooga. He was hospitalized prior to the game after feeling ill, although his ailment didn't prove to be serious; he returned for the remainder of the tournament.

"Our primary concern is Coach Calhoun's health and his complete recovery," said athletic director Jeffrey A. Hathaway. "We will do everything possible to support Coach during this time. Jim and I both know that the men's basketball program is in very capable hands under the leadership of Associate Head Coach George Blaney."

The leave also comes in the wake of rumors surrounding a potential contract extension that is currently in the works. He is in the final year of his current deal and had contemplated retirement after the Huskies lost in the national semifinals to Michigan State last season amid alleged recruiting violations.

He eventually decided to return and hinted that he would like to remain at UConn beyond the 2009-10 season. He is currently tied for sixth all-time in career coaching wins with 816, which is the same amount as current Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim.

Calhoun has coached the Huskies to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 23 seasons and is a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. He has led UConn to two national titles in 1999 and 2004 and has coached in more games (1,164) than any other active Division I head coach.

Blaney's first game will come on Tuesday night against Big East rival St. John's. A bigger test will come Saturday, as top-ranked Texas visits Storrs for an interconference showdown.

01/20 04:04:39 ET

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