Rams coach Martz takes leave due to heart problems

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Mike Martz has taken an indefinite
leave of absence from coaching the St Louis Rams due to a
debilitating heart condition, the NFC West team said on Monday.

The 54-year-old has been diagnosed with a bacterial
infection of the heart, a condition that has worsened in the
past few days, according to his doctors.

Rams president John Shaw said Martz will spend four to 12
days in the hospital after having coached the 2-3 Rams in their
37-31 loss to Seattle on Sunday, a game the coach admitted he
should not have attended.

“I think he was concerned that he was letting down a lot of
people, but also had concern about the gravity of the
situation,” Shaw said.

No timeframe was established for Martz’s return and the
team refused to speculate on the severity of his illness.

Martz told the players of his leave in a short meeting on
Monday. Assistant Joe Vitt will take over coaching duties in
Martz’s absence.