NCAA News Wire
Charlotte’s Major takes indefinite leave
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
University of Charlotte coach Alan Major is taking a second indefinite medical leave in less than a year, the school announced Tuesday.
“Major, who took a similar medical leave during the summer, approached Director of Athletics Judy Rose to request the leave due to a return of health conditions,” the university said in a statement.
“There is no timetable for Major’s return at this point. Out of respect for Major’s privacy, no further details will be released.”
Major, the 49ers’ coach since 2010, has guided the team to a 6-7 record this season. Charlotte’s next game is Thursday night at Western Kentucky.
“This is an extremely difficult basketball decision for me to make, but more importantly, it’s a life and health decision,” Major said. “It will be difficult being away from the team, but I’ll maintain contact with the guys on a regular basis.
“I have the best staff in the country and those guys are fully prepared to take our team into battle. I look forward to attacking this recovery process and getting back to leading this program into the future.”
Associate head coach Ryan Odom will be in charge while Major is away from the team. Odom served in the same capacity during Major’s first leave in the spring and summer of 2014.
