Storrs Connecticut — University of Connecticut basketball coach Jim Calhoun is taking an indefinite medical leave of absence.

The Hall of Fame coach, who turns 70 in May, has been suffering for several months from spinal stenosis, a lower back condition that causes him severe pain and hampers mobility, the school said Friday in a news release.

George Blaney, the team's associate head coach, will lead the team in Calhoun's absence.

Calhoun, who is in his 40th season as a head coach and 26th at UConn, has a history of health problems that includes several bouts with cancer. He is No. 6 on the all-time wins list with 867.

Calhoun, who led the Huskies in April to a third national championship, is a three-time cancer survivor, overcoming prostate cancer in 2003 and skin cancer twice, most recently in 2008.

The Huskies (14-7, 4-5 Big East) have lost four games in a row, and host Seton Hall on Saturday.