Former ENMU coach Elliott in hospital

Bud Elliott, who retired after last season after 11 years as Eastern New Mexico University’s football coach, is in Lubbock Heart Hospital after breaking his shinbone in a fall at home.

ENMU football coach Mark Ribaudo said after Saturday’s game at Southwestern Oklahoma that the 73-year-old Elliott had been on a respirator after having a problem with low blood pressure. His condition is serious, but he said Elliott’s health appears to have improved over the past couple of days.

“He’s doing a lot better; I talked to him this morning,” Ribaudo said. “A couple of nights ago his blood pressure got really low.”

Family friend Pat Watson, a retired ENMU instructor, said doctors drained 15 ounces of fluid off Elliott’s lung, but added that he was still having problems breathing.