Butler basketball Coach Brandon Miller takes indefinite leave

Butler basketball Coach Brandon Miller will take an indefinite leave of absence from the Bulldogs program for medical reasons, the school announced Thursday.

“Brandon Miller has requested a leave of absence for medical reasons, which the university has granted,” Butler Athletic Director Barry Collier said in a statement. “We are not in a position to further elaborate and we ask that everyone respect Brandon’s privacy.”

Assistant Coach Chris Holtman has been named interim head coach. Holtman joined the Bulldogs’ coaching staff last season after three years as a head coach at Gardner-Webb University.

Miller replaced former coach Brad Stevens, who left the school after the 2012-13 season to coach the Boston Celtics.

Butler, previously a member of the Horizon League, had a record of 14-17 last season in its first as a member of the Big East.

The Bulldogs made it to the NCAA championship in back-to-back seasons in 2009-10 and 2010-11, but were ultimately defeated by Duke and Connecticut, respectively.

Butler opens its season with an exhibition game against the University of Chicago on Nov. 1. The Bulldogs are scheduled to take part in the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas later that month.

UCLA will also compete in that tournament with Wisconsin, North Carolina, Florida, Oklahoma, Georgetown and UAB.

Twitter: @mattwilhalme