Mount St. Mary's men's basketball coach on leave

EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) Mount St. Mary's University has placed men's basketball head coach Robert Burke on paid administrative leave at his request.

A spokesman for the school declined on Thursday to specify the reason for Burke's request. Spokesman Duffy Ross says the second-year coach was granted the leave Wednesday, a day after he met with university officials.

Ross says it's a personnel matter and the school won't comment further.

Assistant coach Matt Henry has been appointed acting head coach.

The development comes at a critical time for the Mountaineers, who are 6-19 overall and 4-10 in the Northeast Conference.

Another loss would probably eliminate them from the NEC tournament after six straight appearances.

The Mountaineers went 11-21 overall, and 9-9 in the NEC, in their first year under Burke.

Updated February 16, 2012