University of North Carolina Athletics
Coach Ron Case Update
August 5, 2000 | Football
Aug. 5, 2000
By: Joe Bray
TarHeelBlue.com
TarHeelBlue: Coach, how's your health?
Coach Case: "It's good, I feel good. It's been two months and three days since I had the surgery, and I've been back at work for about two weeks, but this is the first time I've been back on the football field working.
"It felt good, I'm not really having any problems. I went to my doctor, and he told me he wanted to see me in a year, so that's a very good sign."
TarHeelBlue: What kind of rehab did he have you doing?
Coach Case: "I've been walking about an hour and a half every day for about the last five weeks, so I'd got that built up pretty good. When it's rained, I'd do stair steps in my house, so I'm in pretty good cardiovascular shape.
"They're going to let me do my own rehab at my own pace, as long as I promise to walk at least thirty minutes a day, but like I said, I've been doing an hour and a half each day.
"I'm also going to do some work to get back my upper body strength. I'm probably at about 60% strength in my upper body, and my legs are about 90%.
"I need to get in the weight room and do some upper-body work. I'll get all that done right in our own facility, which is one good thing about being a coach.
"I was on the good side of the type of person they operate on, I was on the side that usually makes it. I didn't have a stroke, and I didn't have a heart attack. That's a blessing for me."
TarHeelBlue: What happened to trigger your visit to the doctor?
Coach Case: "I'd never been sick a day in my life, and I'd never been on medication of any kind. But when I got back home from recruiting, I was cutting the grass one Sunday, and I felt a little burning in my chest, but I thought it was just indigestion.
"Then I worked that next week, but on Friday of Memorial Day weekend, I felt a funny feeling in my chest. I finished my walk and didn't think anything of it, but that Saturday I was working around the house and it hit me again. I just sat down on the steps and it went away.
"Then Memorial Day I was sitting on the couch not doing anything, and suddenly the pain was so intense it took me to my knees for about three minutes. I knew then something was wrong.
"I went to my doctor on Tuesday, and they put the dye through my heart and found five blockages. That was on Wednesday, and on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. they were cutting me open. It was a 6 1/2 hour operation. I didn't wake up until 10:00 p.m. that night.
"Then the next Tuesday, I was out and at home and starting to walk. I'm just grateful that I didn't have a heart attack.
"You never know when you get in your sixties. A lot of guys are time bombs walking around.
"I feel good. I'm ready to get back to the business that I love best."
TarHeelBlue: What kind of hours are you putting in? Are you able to work a full day?
Coach Case: "Yea, I'm putting in a full day. Between practices I'll put my feet up for thirty minutes or so and rest and take it easy.
"I didn't have any problems today. The sun was out this afternoon, but it didn't bother me. I've been walking in the heat, a little bit at a time, so I've been getting myself ready to go. I'm acclimated to the heat.
"I'm ready for two-a-days."
TarHeelBlue: What have you seen in JoVon Lewis and Bryant Macklin after two days?
Coach Case: "Macklin isn't in shape. He's been in the summer bridge program, and they don't get to work out.
"JoVon is a good athlete. He's not polished yet, but he can be a guy who will really help us. He's real physical, very athletic.
"Macklin is a big guy, 206 or 208, but we're going to try him at corner. He's got great speed, track speed. We haven't had anybody that size out at corner. If he can keep up and cover and use his hands and play man, we've got us something."
TarHeelBlue: Is there a chance either one will play this year?
Coach Case: "No, not at all. They'll both be redshirted."
TarHeelBlue: Were you able to keep track of your returning guys this summer?
Coach Case: "Yes, when I came in a couple of times, I saw them and they looked like they were in really good shape. They've been working on the things we wanted them to work on, and I think they've had a great off-season."
TarHeelBlue: Are you exited?
Coach Case: "Yea, man! I'm just glad to be here. I feel good. I'm ready to go."
