Northwestern coach Randy Walker wasn’t at practice again Tuesday, remaining at Evanston Hospital at least until Wednesday after being diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. The very vocal coach was missed, sort of.
“Everything sounded . . . different,” defensive tackle Luis Castillo said. “Even the whistle [blown by the coach in charge to stop play] sounded different.”
Walker, 50, checked himself into the hospital Monday after experiencing symptoms akin to a heart attack. Whether he can return to coaching for Saturday’s game against Purdue at Ryan Field will be determined in the next couple of days.
“I haven’t been informed what my limitations will be once I’m back in the office and on the field,” Walker said. “Certainly, there will be some reduced hours and limitations to what I can do during practice.”
If Walker cannot direct the Wildcats against nationally ranked Purdue, defensive backs coach and associate head coach Jerry Brown will oversee the team along with defensive coordinator Greg Colby and offensive coordinator Mike Dunbar. . . .
Defensive end Loren Howard, who still is playing his way into shape after missing the first five games after ankle surgery, was held out of practice Tuesday. He played extensively against Wisconsin. “We’re just being very careful,” Colby said. . . . Receiver Jonathan Field (sprained ankle) is being limited during practice.
– Next: Sat. vs. Purdue, 11 a.m., ESPN
