Catalina Foothills High School head football coach Jeff Scurran, left, talks with Max Michalczik during the varsity team's practice at the school, 4300 E. Sunrise Dr., on Sept. 20, 2016, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Catalina Foothills coach Jeff Scurran could tell something was wrong with a few minutes left in Friday night's game against Sabino.

Moments after his team lost 21-17, Scurran, 71, sat on the sideline bench to get his bearings. His wife Joan instinctively knew something was wrong and sat next to her husband.

That's when he collapsed.

"Next thing I know, it was a couple minutes later and I was laying on the ground with, literally, hundreds of people around me," Scurran said.

The Southern Arizona coaching legend was transported to Tucson Medical Center, where he underwent tests overnight. He was released shortly after noon on Saturday. Doctors say Scurran suffered from syncope, a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a drop in blood pressure. It can be brought on by a number of factors, including dehydration, lack of food and stress.Β 

Scurran believes he fainted because he skipped lunch, had transportation issues β€” which included a bus that showed up late, was too small and had no air conditioning β€” and was stressed. Scurran won three state championships at Sabino before moving on to Pima College, Santa Rita and Foothills. He was inducted into Sabino's Hall of Fame during Friday's halftime.

"It was just one of those things that just kind of came together, and I didn't eat lunch because of some of these problems we were having," Scurran said. "Just a whole lot of things happened in a very short amount of time and my usual game routine was broken."

Scurran said he plans to follow up with his regular doctor on Monday. The Falcons have a bye week before continuing their season Sept. 21 against Pueblo.

Scurran said he is thankful for all the people who helped him Friday night and the fans and friends who have reached out since then.Β 

Scurran said there's no reason for them to be worried.Β 

"I've been married almost 49 years to a very smart woman, and she's not going to let me do anything stupid," he said.



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Contact sports reporter Norma Gonzalez at 262-3265 or ngonzalez@tucson.com. On Twitter @normacatalina12