Delaware Hayes coach Mike Golden is a winner … just look at his track record.

The veteran coach, in his third season with the Pacers, has won everywhere he’s been. Now, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, he’ll be looking to beat an entirely different foe. He’s taken a leave of absence to do just that.

Golden was hospitalized prior to Friday’s game against host Dublin Scioto after having trouble breathing. Doctors found cancer in his throat and lungs, Hayes AD Steve Glesenkamp said. He received his first round of chemotherapy Tuesday.

In Golden’s absence, defensive coordinator Justin Malivuk and other assistants will lead the team. Hayes started the season 3-0 before dropping each of its last two games. Friday’s league opener against Scioto was the Pacers’ first without Golden on the sidelines.

“Obviously we miss Coach. He’s a great leader,” Malivuk said after the game. “I don’t know what kind of effect it had on the kids. That was the first time we ever had to deal with something like that. I would hope it would make them play even harder and I think they did play really hard.”

In his 28 years of coaching, Golden has complied an impressive 214-92 record. He coached at Watterson, New Albany and Upper Arlington before arriving in Delaware. He led Watterson to a Division III state championship in 2002 and his teams have made the playoffs in 16 seasons.