LEWISTON, N.Y. — Less than seven months after he was hired to what he called a "dream job" coaching Niagara University's men's basketball team, Patrick Beilein is stepping down.
The Niagara County native made the surprise announcement in a statement Thursday morning, which came weeks before he was set to coach his first game with the Purple Eagles.
Beilein's statement didn't give a reason for his resignation beyond "personal reasons." His Twitter account was also deleted as of Thursday morning. Niagara University is expected to release its own statement shortly.
Beilein will be replaced on an interim basis by former Duke University star Greg Paulus, who was an assistant on the staff.
Beilein was hired in March after his time as the head coach of LeMoyne College's basketball team in Syracuse. His father, John Beilein, coached at several colleges including Canisius and Michigan and is currently the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Here is Patrick Beilein's entire statement:
It is with heavy regret that I must inform the entire Purple Eagle nation that effective today I have resigned my position as the head men’s basketball coach at Niagara University. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to become a Division-I head basketball coach, but unfortunately, that dream must be put on hold.
Personal reasons I can no longer take lightly have led me to step away from my dream job. Going forward, I must give singular focus to dealing with these issues, so that I can become the man that I strive to be.
In time, it is my hope that I can be more open about my ongoing circumstances, but in the meantime, I thank you all for respecting my family’s need for privacy and for all of your continued support.
His father and head coach of the Cleveland Caveliers issued this statement on Twitter:
Simon Gray, director of athletics at Niagara University issued this statement:
“We respect Patrick’s request for privacy for him and his family. We wish the entire Beilein family well as they address these personal issues. We are excited to have Greg Paulus leading Purple Eagles basketball this season,”