FIRST WORD

SPORTSLINE

Personal reasons I can no longer take lightly have led me to step away from my dream job. Going forward, I must give singular focus to dealing with these issues, so that I can become the man that I strive to be.”

Niagra men’s basketball coach Patrick Beilein, son of Cavaliers coach John Beilein, in a statement Thursday saying he is stepping down after just seven months. His statement offered no elaboration.