Sierra College Football Coach Taking Medical Leave

ROCKLIN (CBS13) -- Sierra College head football coach Jeff Tisdel announced Wednesday morning he is taking a medical leave of absence and immediately stepping down from his coaching duties.

Tisdel will continue to teach his physical education classes at Sierra, the junior college said.

Tisdel, whose 79-32 record at Sierra ranks as one of the nation's best winning percentages, has lost 32 pounds in the past three months, according to the school.

"I have a health concern I have to take care of immediately," he said. "Football is my passion, but I've got to get better."

With an overall coaching record of 176-76, Tisdel has been a local coaching fixture for three decades. Prior to Sierra, he led programs at Christian Brothers High School, Sacramento City College and the University of Nevada.

Wolverine defensive coordinator Ed Eaton will take over as the interim head coach, just as he was in 2006 when Tisdel took a sabbatical. Sierra Associate Dean of Athletics Tom Gang, who was the head coach at Mendocino College as recently as last year, said he will return to the sideline as an offensive advisor.

"Tis needs to take care of himself and we'll support whatever he has to do," Gang said. "I asked Ed what I could do to help and he said I could help with the offense."

The Wolverines (0-3) look for their first win Saturday when they host rival American River College (3-0) in a 1 p.m. game at Homer "Buzz" Ostrom Stadium in Rocklin.