MORGANTPOWN, W.Va. — Gale Catlett, in his 30th season as a head coach, is leaving his West Virginia team for a few days for medical reasons.

        “It's not serious, but if I don't take care of it, it will be,” the 60-year-old former University of Cincinnati coach said Monday night on his weekly radio show, declining to specify the problem. “I just need to get away from the team and get some rest, and hopefully it will clear up quickly.”

        The Mountaineers (7-11, 0-6 Big East) are on a nine-game losing streak, matching the school record from the 1936-37 season. Their last victory was at Tennessee on Dec. 22.

        “It will be a day-to-day thing. And my health is more important than winning basketball games,” Catlett said. “I'm a great competitor and a fighter, but when you have something wrong with you, you have to take a look and step back.”

        Catlett is 14th among active Division I coaches with 564 victories. He has compiled a 564-316 record as a head coach. He was at Cincinnati from 1973-78 and has been at his alma mater since with his 438 wins the most in school history.

        While Catlett is on leave, his nephew, assistant coach Drew Catlett, will handle the coaching duties with assistance from coaches Lester Rowe and Chris Cheeks.

        West Virginia plays at home Wednesday against Providence before going on the road for games at Georgetown and Syracuse.

        “Maybe me away for a practice or a game or so might help the team a little bit,” Catlett said. “Maybe they need to hear a different voice. That's not what I'm doing here, but I think it might be refreshing to the team somewhat. You never know.”

UC shoots for 20th straight win 100th victory next for Logan Catlett takes medical leave

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