Central Michigan is getting set to open its season against Missouri this weekend — but it might be without its head coach.

Three days before the game, CMU announced that Jim McElwain was diagnosed with appendicitis and will undergo surgery. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go for the season opener Sept. 4.

Chippewas assistant Tim Skipper will oversee the program in McElwain’s absence, the team said.

McElwain is entering his third season at Central Michigan after spending 2018 as a wide receivers coach at Michigan. He has also been a head coach at Colorado State and Florida.

Central Michigan was picked to finish second in the MAC West in this year’s coaches poll and went 3-3 in the COVID-impacted 2020 season.

Central Michigan opens its season on Saturday on the road at Missouri at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.