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Rod Zundel interviewed Bob Lyman about his experience working at West High and his decision to walk away from the game he loves. To watch the interview, click on the play button above.SALT LAKE CITY — Basketball is Bob Lyman's passion.
But in his case, that might not be healthy.
The West High head coach recently stepped down after learning he had a life-threatening heart arrhythmia in the weeks after his father passed away. When he went to the doctor for chest pain, he hoped for "a pill to make me happy."
Instead, he got a diagnosis that has completely changed his focus — coronary artery disease. He's on medication for the arrhythmia, but will have to have surgery in January if it doesn't improve. One thing doctors told him would make a difference is reducing his stress level.
So instead of guiding the Panthers' program this season, he will be an assistant to the school's new head coach, Mike Matheson. Matheson was an assistant at East High last year, and was hired this fall by West administrators.
"I love coaching," Lyman said. "I love being the head coach. But I've also been an assistant, and I just like being in the gym. Mike is a good friend, and I want to help him out."
He also wants to continue to help the program that he's guided for 15 of his 32 years as a coach. But his health has to come first.
"I've also got grandkids," he said, "and I want to watch them play."
