An internal investigation has led Colorado State to place head basketball coach Larry Eustachy on administrative leave.

"I have asked head coach Larry Eustachy to temporarily step away from the men's basketball program, as he has been placed on administrative leave while we conclude our climate assessment," CSU athletic director Joe Parker said in a statement. "We are diligently working through this assessment as expeditiously as possible, understanding the importance of a thorough and fair process. No conclusions have been made."

Assistant coach Steve Barnes will coach Colorado State when the Rams take on Nevada on Saturday night.

This marks the second time Eustachy has been investigated by the university for his conduct with players and other staff members.

A 2013-14 investigation — in which players and others around the program were interviewed — led to a 90-page report by then-AD Jack Graham that alleged that Eustachy created a "culture of fear and intimidation" and emotionally abused his players. Graham recommended that the university fire Eustachy, but university president Tony Frank instead required the coach to attend anger management sessions and apologize to his team.

Eustachy, 62, is 121-74 in his sixth season at Colorado State, tying him for the second-most victories in school history. His base salary this year is $985,012, with annual increases that top out at $1.045 million in 2020-21, according to The Coloradoan.

If he is fired "with cause" pending the investigation's outcome, he conceivably would be owed nothing. If the university were to fire him without cause, then he could be owed almost $3 million.