By Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY

Rick Majerus, 64, will not coach the Saint Louis men’s basketball team this season because of heart issues, team spokesman Brian Kunderman told USA TODAY Sports Friday evening.

The school has named Jim Crews its interim head coach for the 2012-13 season, and it’s too early to make a decision about the following season, Kunderman said.

“Rick is in a California hospital undergoing evaluation and treatment for an ongoing heart condition,” Saint Louis athletic director Chris May said in a statement. “His health is the most important issue right now, and our hope is for full and complete recovery.”

Crews, who joined the Saint Louis coaching staff last fall, will take over as interim head coach immediately, the school said.

“The players are being informed of coach Majerus’ condition and the subsequent announcement of Jim Crews’ appointment,” May said. “It is an emotional time, and while our thoughts and prayers are with Rick, our focus is on our student-athletes and continuing to give them the best experience possible.”

In his five years as SLU’s head coach, Majerus has lead the Billikens to a 95-69 record. Last year, they reached the third round of the NCAA tournament in Saint Louis’ first NCAA appearance since 2000. The team returns almost everyone, and it is expected to be a top-25 squad this season.

This is not the first time Majerus has dealt with heart issues. At Utah, he took multiple leaves of absence. In his first season with the Utes, he underwent coronary bypass surgery in December 1989 after coaching the first six games of the season. In January 2004, he was hospitalized again for heart problems. Majerus left Utah after that to work as a TV analyst before returning to coaching in 2007.

At this point, Majerus’ future at Saint Louis is uncertain. Majerus’ contract runs out after this season, and he may opt to take a break from coaching like he did after his second health scare at Utah.

Majerus’ replacement, Crews, is no stranger to head coaching, though he hasn’t held the title in three years. He served as head coach at Army for seven seasons … [For more on Rick Majerus will not coach Saint Louis, click here.]