Indiana State coach Matthew Graves undergoes triple heart bypass

Field Level Media|published: Mon 20th October, 15:22 2025

Dec 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Indiana State Sycamores head coach Matthew Graves reacts to a call during the second half against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Indiana State coach Matthew Graves underwent a triple heart bypass surgery on Monday and is taking a leave of absence, the school announced.

Graves recently visited a hospital in Terre Haute after experiencing tightness in his chest and doctors told him he needed surgery.

Associate head coach Mark Slessinger will serve as acting head coach.

"I'm truly grateful for the incredible doctors at Union Health for helping my family and me through this process," Graves said in a statement. "I look forward to rejoining the program in the near future.

"With Coach Slessinger's experience as a former head coach, I have complete confidence in his leadership during my absence. Can't wait to see everyone back in the Hulman Center, Go Sycamores!"

The Sycamores went 14-18 last season in Graves' first year as the head school. He was an assistant the previous three seasons.

The former Butler guard also coached five seasons at South Alabama (2013-18) and went 65-96.

Slessinger was head coach at New Orleans for 12 seasons (2012-24) and went 154-207. His team went 20-12 during the 2016-17 season and reached the NCAA Tournament before losing to Mount St. Mary's in the First Four at Dayton.

Indiana State opens the season at Charlotte on Nov. 3.

--Field Level Media

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