ASU hockey coach placed on leave amid player collapse inquiry - ESPN

Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers has been placed on paid administrative leave days after several members of his team asked the university to remove him pending an investigation into a teammate's collapse.

«After thorough and careful deliberation, I believe this is the best move to provide stability for the hockey program,» Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said in a statement Wednesday.

In their letter to the school sent Monday, seven hockey players detailed the Aug. 20 workout in which defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed, disputed the findings of the university's review, and asked the school to place all staff responsible for the workout on administrative leave.

Powers could not be reached Wednesday. He repeatedly declined to answer reporters' questions about Mayich's collapse during a news conference last week.

Mayich, 21, has been in the hospital since the workout, which was led by a former Green Beret, and is unlikely to recover, according to Carey, who said Mayich suffered exertional heat stroke that reduced the flow of oxygen to his brain.

The athletes said they submitted their letter anonymously for fear of retaliation from Powers and his coaching staff.

«That fear is not directed at one person,» they wrote. «The head coach and his assistant coaches were all on the field on August 20, all remain in their positions, and together they decide our playing time, scholarships levels and roster status.»

Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team for its opening games at Lindenwood this weekend and an interim head coach will be named soon, Arizona State said.

Robert Carey, the attorney for the Mayich family, said Powers' removal was not enough to protect the players from retaliation because members