Arizona State's Women's Coach Taking Leave Of Absence

Tempe, AZ (Sports Network) - Charli Turner Thorne, who led Arizona State to six NCAA Tournaments in the last seven seasons, will take a nine-month leave of absence as head women's basketball coach "to spend some time regaining balance in my life."

The school said Monday that Turner Thorne will begin her voluntary, unpaid leave beginning July 1 and will return next spring. Associate head coach Joseph Anders will be the interim head coach next season.

"At this point in my career and with the foundation for our program firmly established, I am going to spend some time regaining balance in my life which I know will help me grow and become a better coach," Turner Thorne said in a statement.

"I will take full advantage of this opportunity to re-center myself, have more family time and improve as a coach."

Turner Thorne, who is married with three sons, has coached the Sun Devils for the past 15 seasons.