Colonial Athletic Association

New Hampshire football coach takes leave for health reasons

Published Aug. 29, 2019 2:48 p.m. ET

DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire football coach Sean McDonnell is taking an indefinite leave for health reasons.

The school did not elaborate on the condition of the 62-year-old coach. Athletic director Marty Scarano said Monday night associate head coach Rick Santos, a former quarterback at the school, is now the interim head coach.

McDonnell has been New Hampshire's coach since 1999 and on staff since 1991. He made no mention of the change during a weekly media call Monday. He has 98 career wins in the Colonial Athletic Association — tops among active league coaches and No. 3 overall.

Santos was a four-year starter at UNH from 2004 to 2007. He coached the team's wide receivers from 2013 to 2015.

The Wildcats open at Holy Cross on Sept. 7.

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