FORT WAYNE – Bishop Luers football coach Matt Lindsay, 56, said he will take an indefinite leave of absence from the team, citing personal issues.
“I really don’t know,” Lindsay said Thursday by cellphone of how long his leave will last. “That’s all I want to say.”
Lindsay’s son, Kyle, confirmed in a text message that the leave of absence is medical related.
“Haven’t had a conversation with my dad about the specifics of his leave other than it’s a personal/health related issue,” Kyle wrote.
“He hopes to return soon. From my understanding of our 2-minute conversation earlier, yes (it’s medical related).”
Matt Lindsay, who is also the school’s athletic director, is in his 26th year as the Knights’ head coach. He is 229-99 at the school.
Kyle, 27, the team’s offensive coordinator, will take over as the interim coach.
“(Kyle) will be guided well by coach (Lew) Goodwin and (Mike) Egts, and the Knights will be fine,” Matt Lindsay said.
Indiana’s NewsCenter reported Matt Lindsay will not attend tonight’s home game against Wayne. Assistant athletic director Diane Karst will help athletic secretary Joni Kuhn with day-to-day athletic department duties.
“He said he had to handle something personal,” Luers senior defensive back/running back Tyvel Jemison said via text message.
“I wish I knew what was wrong. Pray for him.”
The Knights (2-2) are the three-time defending Class 2A state champions.
They have won 10 state titles overall, with Lindsay as the head coach for nine and an assistant coach for the first one in 1985.
The nine state titles as a head coach are tied for the most in state history.
“He actually kept it pretty personal with us,” Luers All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith said by cellphone.
“It is something that doesn’t have to do with the team, but more with him. They just said he was going to be out, and they weren’t sure when he would be back, but we will definitely be playing for him.”
Lindsay is a 1973 Bishop Luers graduate and has been married for 31 years to his wife, Mary. He has two daughters, Molly and Marita.
He was an assistant coach for eight seasons before becoming the head coach in 1987.
He has won 16 sectional titles, 13 regionals and 12 semistates with three state runner-up finishes.
