Arizona State places Greg Powers on leave after Matthew Mayich collapse

Arizona State has placed men's hockey coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave as the university investigates the outdoor workout during which Matthew Mayich collapsed. AZFamily reported that the school confirmed the decision on Wednesday, September 30, with its season opener approaching.

Watch the highlights:

Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead Arizona State for the opening weekend, which begins October 2 at Lindenwood University in Missouri. The university said an interim head coach would be named soon. AZFamily also reported that Powers issued a statement supporting the decision.

Mayich, 21, collapsed during the August 20 workout. According to reporting in the Guardian, family attorney Rob Carey said heat stroke reduced the oxygen reaching his brain and that he was unlikely to recover. Carey said Mayich had displayed signs of distress before collapsing and that no cold-water tub was available.

The move follows an appeal from seven players, who wrote to university president Michael Crow on Monday seeking administrative leave for the coaches involved until an independent investigation was completed. The Guardian reported that their letter challenged aspects of the university's initial inquiry. Mayich's parents, John and Christina, backed their request on Tuesday.

Athletic director Graham Rossini said the university remained focused on Mayich, his family and support for the other players. He said information gathering had continued and described the coaching change as a decision intended to provide stability for the program after careful consideration.

Accounts of the workout remain disputed. AZFamily reported that the players alleged water access was severely limited during the session led by former Green Beret Timothy Ziesel. His attorney, Buddy Rake, disputed that account, saying Ziesel did not determine water breaks and denying that players were refused water. Those claims remain part of the disagreement surrounding the session.

ASU police are investigating and will send their report to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review, according to AZFamily. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference supported the leave decision while calling for players' concerns to receive thorough examination. It said it would not prejudge the review's findings.