Take it from Dan McCarney – something bad, something like a stroke -- can happen even when you’re in tip-top physical condition.
“But tell everyone back there that I’m doing fine,†the former ISU head football coach said Tuesday from his bed in a Denton, Texas, hospital. “I’ve got too much Irish in me to stay down very long.â€
McCarney, now coach at North Texas, confirmed that he suffered a stroke Sunday morning, shortly after his daily workout.
“I was just sitting down to eat a sandwich when my left side went numb,†said McCarney, the North Texas coach who coached at Iowa State 12 seasons. “Talk about a scary feeling.â€
McCarney was rushed to the hospital in a helicopter, where a stroke was detected.
“Something happened on the left side in the back of my brain,†said McCarney, a former Iowa player and assistant coach. “My left side – all of a sudden everything went numb.â€
He underwent tests Monday and was undergoing tests Tuesday morning.
“The doctors – and they’ve been fantastic – say I’m fine,†McCarney said. “They’re expecting a full recovery – no permanent damage.â€
Spring practice?
“I’m supposed to get out of the hospital in a couple days,†he said. “I feel good right now. I’ve got a little tingling feeling, but hey, if that’s the worst of it, I’d say I’m a pretty lucky guy.
“Nothing wrong with me that a little Grey Goose won’t cure.â€
