BY KYLE BEERY | STAFF REPORTER

Butler men’s basketball coach Brandon Miller is taking a leave of absence from the team due to medical reasons, according to a statement from Vice President and Director of Athletics Barry Collier.

Chris Holtmann has been named the interim head coach.

Collier said in a release on butlersports.com that Miller requested the leave of absence.

“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.”

Holtmann joined the staff as an assistant under Miller last year after three seasons with Gardner-Webb. The Runnin’ Bulldogs went 44-54 under Holtmann during that span, appearing in the CollegeInsider.com postseason tournament in his final year after going 21-12. Holtmann was named the Big South Conference Coach of the Year.

Butler is scheduled to begin practice this Saturday, as the Bulldogs gear up for their second season in the Big East Conference. The first exhibition game is slated for Nov. 1 against the University of Chicago at Hinkle Fieldhouse, currently nearing the end of renovations.