by Matt Youmans , Las Vegas Review-Journal

Brigham Young coach Dave Rose has been diagnosed with a life-threatening form of pancreatic cancer and is taking a leave from running the basketball program's daily operations while he undergoes medical treatment, the school announced Wednesday.

Rose, 51, experienced pain in his abdomen and internal bleeding while attending a family reunion in Las Vegas on June 6. His spleen and part of his pancreas were removed during emergency surgery.

After further testing at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Rose's situation was found to be more serious. He tested positive for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor cancer.

"I'm always saddened to hear news like this, especially when it's someone we know well from our league," UNLV coach Lon Kruger said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave and his family, and hopefully he can bounce back quickly."

Rose has a 97-34 record in four years at BYU. He has guided the Cougars to three consecutive Mountain West Conference regular-season titles, winning the league outright in 2007 and 2008 before losing to the Rebels in the tournament championship.

Before joining BYU as an assistant coach in 1997, Rose compiled a 167-57 record at Dixie State College in St. George, Utah.

Rose graduated from the University of Houston, where he was a shooting guard and co-captain of the "Phi Slamma Jamma" team featuring Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon in 1982-83.

Rose met with his players Wednesday.

"Initially, I was sick to my stomach, had that knot-in-my-stomach feeling," former BYU star Lee Cummard, an NBA Draft hopeful, said to the Tribune. "From the updates I've gotten (Wednesday), though, I'm getting a little more optimistic. If anybody can overcome it, I put my money on coach Rose."

The BYU staff will run day-to-day operations in Rose's absence. Dave Rice, the Cougars' associate head coach, played on UNLV's 1990 NCAA championship team. He also spent 11 seasons as a Rebels assistant coach.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.

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