Billy Gillispie Checks Into the Mayo Clinic and is No Longer in Charge of Day-to-Day Operations for Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball

The drama surrounding Texas Tech Red Raider Basketball head coach Billy Gillispie grows larger by the day.

Yesterday, Gillispie left Lubbock and flew to Rochester, Minnesota to check into the prestigious Mayo Clinic. Gillispie is seeking treatment for his high blood pressure and other ailments.

Last night, after 10p, Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt issued a statement concerning the latest developments with Gillispie:

"We hope Billy Gillispie has a full recovery, but we cannot wait forever as we have a basketball team that starts practice soon. In the meantime, Associate Head Coach Chris Walker will assume the responsibility for day-to-day operations of our men's basketball program. Coach Walker will help ensure that leadership and accountability will be in place for our student-athletes, assistant coaches and staff.

"We have been seeking a swift resolution to this issue from the very beginning. We remain committed to communicating with Billy face-to-face regarding the issues relating to the men's basketball program; however, time is of the essence."

Gillispie has also been ordered to not have contact with any of his Red Raider Basketball players, or staff, during his absence. The university has also stated that Gillispie is on 'indefinite sick leave'.

Gillispie's currently under fire for allegedly violating NCAA rules concerning practices and conduct detrimental to his team.

Hocutt and Gillispie were scheduled to have a meeting the morning of August 31 to discuss allegations made against him by his players, but Gillispie checked into University Medical Center for what ended up being a six-day hospital stay.