SIU's Barry Hinson lost his son-in-law on Christmas morning and will not coach Sunday. (USATSI)
SIU's Barry Hinson lost his son-in-law on Christmas morning and will not coach Sunday. (USATSI)

Southern Illinois coach Barry Hinson will not be at his team's game on Sunday against Miami University. Hinson is mourning the sudden death of his son-in-law, which came Christmas morning.

The school announced Hinson's forthcoming absence on Friday. While he is away in the short-term, associate head coach Tom Hankins will coach the team.

A Jackson County coroner told the Associated Press that Niles Thomason, who was married to Hinson's daughter, Tiffany, died of natural causes.

"Hinson expects to resume coaching duties early next week as Southern Illinois prepares to host Wichita State on Thursday in the Missouri Valley Conference opener," according to SIU's release. The Salukis are 4-8.

Hinson recently made national headlines for the small school after a postgame press conference of his went viral. He later apologized for some of the remarks he made that were directed toward a specific player.