The university said he left the country on important business.
The university said the company had all rights to the research.
He was 59 years old and died of cancer, the university said.
About half of his students came from other countries and are now at work throughout the world, the university said.
Only five students have taken up the offer, and two came from the same family, the university says.
He had a heart attack and died on the way to the hospital, the university said.
He would probably be able to return for a bowl game, the university said.
The university said it would ask for a new trial.
He died of cancer, the university said in a statement.
The university said that less than half were academic staff.