Daugherty’s condition upgraded to serious

Former University of Washington women’s basketball coach June Daugherty, who last month was named the head coach at Washington State, was upgraded from critical to serious condition Wednesday morning and was alert and talking to family members Wednesday afternoon after suffering cardiac arrest Tuesday.

“There was a collective sigh of relief from everybody in the athletic department and from the players (Wednesday),” said Rod Commons WSU’s media relation’s director. “We are very optimistic. There’s no reason at this point to believe she won’t make a full recovery and return to coaching.”

Commons added that no time table has been set for Daugherty’s return.

The 50-year-old Daugherty was at an Everett clinic for a scheduled physical when the incident occurred and was taken to Providence Everett Medical Center, where she remained in the intensive care unit Wednesday.

“June had a cardiac arrest (Tuesday) and is stabilized now,” her husband, Mike, said in a statement released by the hospital. “She is doing as well as can be expected. Thank you for you concerns. For now please continue to respect the privacy of our family.”

The Daughertys, parents of 13-year-old twins Breanne and Doc, live in Mukilteo.

Commons said the prognosis was good.

“Hospital medical personnel have told the family there was no anticipated long-term issues and no blockage,” he said in a statement. “There is no information at this time on the length of her recovery, only that the news is as good as we could hope for, under the circumstances.”

Daugherty was the head coach at Washington for 11 years before being fired in March.

“June and her family have made a lot of great friends throughout the Washington Husky community over the years, and our sincere thoughts and concerns go out to her,” Washington athletic director Todd Turner said in a statement. “We wish her a complete and immediate recovery.”