Ex-Tulsa coach Kragthorpe has Parkinson's

[skyscraper]

http://espn.go.com/college-football/sto ... on-disease

This is sad news. An excerpt:

LSU assistant coach Steve Kragthorpe has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is relinquishing his duties as offensive coordinator, but is remaining on the Tigers' staff.

Kragthorpe, who was hired during the offseason, will remain as the quarterbacks' coach while offensive line coach Greg Studrawa has been elevated to offensive coordinator.

"Our concern is for Steve and his family," Miles said Thursday, the same day LSU held its first practice of fall camp. "We are all hopeful that he will have the opportunity to coach for a number of years and be at LSU and continue the things he has gotten started here.

"We will do whatever we can as an LSU football family to help Steve and his family during this difficult time."

Kragthorpe, 46, is the former head coach at Louisville (2007-09) and at Tulsa (2003-06).

[peruna81]

May God bless him in this coming struggle, and grant him and his family comfort and courage in the days to come.

That disease is a cruel mistress...

[Thumper]

Got to meet him when he was an assistant coach at Texas A&M years ago. Could not have been a nicer man. He and his family are in my thoughts as they take on that awful disease.

[EastStang]

Tough disease, but more manageable than it used to be. My father-in-law has it and has had it for about 10 years. He still bowls better than I do. His average has dipped though over the years.