PROVO — Former BYU basketball coach Dave Rose suffered a major heart attack Tuesday, his wife, Cheryl posted on Instagram.
Rose, who retired last March after guiding the Cougars for 14 seasons, was recovering at a hospital Wednesday night.
“Early Tuesday morning Dave had a heart attack. The doctors used words like severe, major and widow maker but they went to work and gave us more time together,” Cheryl Rose wrote. “We are overwhelmed by the love and support from so many and most of all your prayers! Grateful for some incredible guys that stopped by to cheer us up but most of all I’m grateful for my guy! He’s the best and I’m so glad he’s still here!”
BYU guard TJ Haws said after Wednesday night’s Midnight Madness event that he had been in contact with Rose.
“I texted him a little bit. You hate to hear that kind of stuff,” he said. “He texted me back and said that life is unpredictable. You really have to enjoy the moment and be grateful for what you have. I wish him the best and hope he recovers.”
Former assistant coach Tim LaComb tweeted Wednesday night: “Saw Coach Rose today and he looks awesome. He is one tough dude!”
Rose led the Cougars to eight NCAA Tournament bids and one appearance in the Sweet 16.
While Rose had been the head coach since 2005, he had been an assistant coach with the program starting in 1997.