Blaney doesn't think that Calhiun knows if he is going to return

[Kitaman]

George maybe is just incorrectly putting the pressure on JC to officially announce, one way or the other. It could be strategic and just might work. It certainly isn't the smartest tactic but I have no problem with this if it produces the right result, more quickly.

I also just think that the coaching staff could be very frustrated and stressed out, with the APR fiasco and the resulting fallout. I give George a pass this time.

 

[johnhuskies95]

Manuel needs to be quietly talking to other coaches out there to gauge their interest right now. You need to have options if Calhoun decides to retire in a month or so.

 

[huskyjawz]

George maybe is just incorrectly putting the pressure on JC to officially announce, one way or the other. It could be strategic and just might work. It certainly isn't the smartest tactic but I have no problem with this if it produces the right result, more quickly.

I also just think that the coaching staff could be very frustrated and stressed out, with the APR fiasco and the resulting fallout. I give George a pass this time.

I don't think so, I think that George is speaking on Jim's behalf. Jim is posturing with the AD and President regarding his future, and succession plan, and other issues that we don't know about. He must want the questions of his future out there, and he's told George how to respond to these questions.

 

[Huskies04Life]

This quote just claifies the fact that I love Shabazz to death. While everybody else is fleeing like a house on fire, Shabazz has no intentions of going anywhere. He's going to stick around and fight, the true mark of a Calhoun player.

Also love the Bazz quotes and give him alot of credit for sticking around through the bad times. Is it too much a of a dream to hope he sticks through this tough year, we get a good recruiting class in 13-14, and then he goes out with his second national title his senior year. Along with JC going off into the sunset as his contract expires. I just thought of this and got goosebumps! Man I hope it happens!

 

[Uconn77Duke74]

Reagrdless of Calhoun;s immediate plans if he has any firm desire to hand over the program to Ollie then he really should have Blaney step aside.

 

[uchusky32]

First JC nas earned the right to retire when he wants. However, he should not hold hostage the
Uconn program. If he hasn't made up his mind then keep it in house. How can letting this out benifit Uconn. This yearly gamesmanship must stop. If he comes bsck this year, holds scholarships for next year but does the same thing how is that a benifit to Uconn.

 

[Waquoit]

George is doing to the off-season what he did to the regular season.

 

[freescooter]

First JC nas earned the right to retire when he wants. However, he should not hold hostage the
Uconn program. If he hasn't made up his mind then keep it in house. How can letting this out benifit Uconn. This yearly gamesmanship must stop. If he comes bsck this year, holds scholarships for next year but does the same thing how is that a benifit to Uconn.

I agree that Calhoun has the right to retire or return, but he dones not have the right to hold the University of ?Connecticut hostage in his silly games. If he hasn't made up his mind and so informed Manuel by say mid-May, then the AD should inform him that he is involking whatever clause is in the contract about removing Calhoun and go forward with finding a replacement. This annual will he or won't he stuff has become a distraction and becomes more and more of one each year as Calhoun nears retirement. If he wants to return he should just say he's returning. If not, pick up the clubs, get a tee time and let UCONN move on with its program.

 

[TheRogers]

My thoughts exactly - shut the duck* up, George.

Take it easy on George. This was the first day medical marijuana was legalized. Just sayin. George might have been feeling a little bit "loose" if you know what I mean.

 

[suzyq]

Take it easy on George. This was the first day medical marijuana was legalized. Just sayin. George might have been feeling a little bit "loose" if you know what I mean.

How could you tell?

 

[sparky]

I am tired of all the JC talk regarding retirement and mystery comments out of the blue. I don't care one way or the other. I say the AD needs to grow a set fire his ass and hire BAZZ as playa coach.

 

[TheRogers]

How could you tell?

A few minutes after the picture with the governor Miller was yelling,"George! We're heading out already! George! Get off the governor's desk!"

 

[UConn3432]

Love this quote also from Shabazz:

"Everyone understands that their back is to the wall," Napier said. "And when your back is to the wall, the best thing you can do is fight with the person beside you. Some people just turned and ran, but that's on them.
"I'm just happy with the group of guys I have."

Did they turn and run into the wall? Seriously looking into freezing myself for a year. http://www.alcor.org/

 

[HuskyHawk]

My thoughts exactly - shut the duck* up, George.

And can someone convince Blaney to not come back regardless? Please...even if JC is back, we know he'll probably miss some games with something, and I'd rather have Hobbs or Ollie calling the shots.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Yeah, but Blaney himself know if he is going to return?

 

[HuskyDogArt]

Calhoun is what JoePa did during his last few years at PSU. Coaches used JoePa's non-decisions against him, and I think coaches are using JC's non-decision to get the top recruits. What JC needs to do is say... I'm sticking around until 20xx. It would help us with top recruits and also it would help recruits looking at UConn.

 

[upstater]

Calhoun is what JoePa did during his last few years at PSU. Coaches used JoePa's non-decisions against him, and I think coaches are using JC's non-decision to get the top recruits. What JC needs to do is say... I'm sticking around until 20xx. It would help us with top recruits and also it would help recruits looking at UConn.

Transitions are hard. That being said, Paterno never recruited so well as he did in his last few years. Look up his last 4 years especially. The last one was subpar but the 3 before were some of the best classes PSU has ever had. He recruited two top 5 QBs. He was 85 when he left. This has little to do with Calhoun but realize that while Paterno's staff was still recruiting well, they weren't coaching them up very well. This is a very major difference between Paterno and Calhoun.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Has anyone considered the possibility that JC told Blaney to answer that way if he was asked?

Blaney has stated in the past that he and JC speak at least once a day over the phone, even during the season (when they see each other face to face). Everyone knew that the question (is JC returning) would likely come up. JC for whatever reasons likes adding a bit of drama to this. Whether any of us view it as a big deal or minor quirk, it is part of the package and if we are willing to take the good (tough as they get, iron will), we need to realize that this comes with the package.

The only thing that will prevent JC from coming back (and completing his contract) is if a doctor tells him that its time to hang it up. Personally, I'll avoid the speculation (and ridiculous boneyard rants), and believe that he is coming back until the day arrives when someone else is our permanent head coach. Similar to how I felt the many times over the years when PC fans claimed that they were close to passing us as a program, I'll believe that JC is gone when I see it. Until then I will view any claims of his retirement as little more than internet bluster.

 

[Hoophound]

Maybe I misjudge him, but I don't see JC as one to be dramatic. I think he is angling for something every single time he drags his feet announcing his intentions. This time it may be about Ollie.

Now, the above assumes that you think he hasn't announced his intentions. I believe he actually said that he was coming back last week when he said he has two years left on his contract and he is "doing what he does". If that has changed for some reason, nobody has said so. The Blaney remarks indicate to me that JC is suddenly applying pressure for a succession plan because in the last 7 days or so, he talked with the AD and or President and met resistance. At the time he mentioned his contract he also said he and Manuel had a lot to talk about. My guess is he then started waffling on returning to gain leverage when he didn't get his way. Blaney's comment was likely planted in that scenario.

If this is what's going on, and Ollie isn't getting the nod, I am in the time to move on camp. We can't lose ground over internal squabbles right now.

 

[upstater]

Maybe I misjudge him, but I don't see JC as one to be dramatic. I think he is angling for something every single time he drags his feet announcing his intentions. This time it may be about Ollie.

Now, the above assumes that you think he hasn't announced his intentions. I believe he actually said that he was coming back last week when he said he has two years left on his contract and he is "doing what he does". If that has changed for some reason, nobody has said so. The Blaney remarks indicate to me that JC is suddenly applying pressure for a succession plan because in the last 7 days or so, he talked with the AD and or President and met resistance. At the time he mentioned his contract he also said he and Manuel had a lot to talk about. My guess is he then started waffling on returning to gain leverage when he didn't get his way. Blaney's comment was likely planted in that scenario.

If this is what's going on, and Ollie isn't getting the nod, I am in the time to move on camp. We can't lose ground over internal squabbles right now.

I find that incredibly hard to believe. The admin. is not going to make a $2 million a year hire based on the potential of losing out on some second tier recruits. That would be mindboggling. The admin. will consider that there's very little difference between an interim coach like Ollie coaching a team under a postseason ban and a lame duck coach like calhoun coaching such a team.

It's simply not going to phase them at all.

It would hurt recruiting for 2013, but when compared to the importance of hiring a coach, the loss of recruits in one class is not going to dissuade anyone from making a decision.

 

[Hoophound]

I find that incredibly hard to believe. The admin. is not going to make a $2 million a year hire based on the potential of losing out on some second tier recruits. That would be mindboggling. The admin. will consider that there's very little difference between an interim coach like Ollie coaching a team under a postseason ban and a lame duck coach like calhoun coaching such a team.

It's simply not going to phase them at all.

It would hurt recruiting for 2013, but when compared to the importance of hiring a coach, the loss of recruits in one class is not going to dissuade anyone from making a decision.

What are you talking about?

 

[upstater]

What are you talking about?

Not obvious? You wrote that Calhoun may be trying to shoehorn Ollie into the head coaches role. It seems preposterous that the Admin. would saddle itself with a coach it doesn't want just because removing him would mean an adverse year of recruiting. Sounds crazy to me. This means that Calhoun has no real leverage here other than the support of boosters and alumni. Gimmicks like waiting to retire are not going to threaten anyone. The only real threat is the support of Calhoun's benefactors to the program itself. That's what should concern Manuel and Herbst, especially given Manuel's familiarity with Michigan and its experience with Rich Rodriguez. The boosters close to the program never bought in with RR and that hurt them.

 

[Hoophound]

Not obvious? You wrote that Calhoun may be trying to shoehorn Ollie into the head coaches role. It seems preposterous that the Admin. would saddle itself with a coach it doesn't want just because removing him would mean an adverse year of recruiting. Sounds crazy to me. This means that Calhoun has no real leverage here other than the support of boosters and alumni. Gimmicks like waiting to retire are not going to threaten anyone. The only real threat is the support of Calhoun's benefactors to the program itself. That's what should concern Manuel and Herbst, especially given Manuel's familiarity with Michigan and its experience with Rich Rodriguez. The boosters close to the program never bought in with RR and that hurt them.

JC using leverage is nothing new IMO. He's been doing it for the last several years. I have no idea if it works but I'm pretty sure he tries.

 

[Danzz]

If Calhoun does retire, I think he needs to do it by the middle of May or so in order for UConn to be able to have a national coaching search.

Last year Gary Williams retired in early May and Maryland was able to have plenty of candidates who were interested.

If this thing drags out to early July, we have issues.

I don't believe that he doesn't know what he is going to do and can't figure out why he pulls this every year. The AD should put some pressure on JC to make a decision so recruiting doesn't get hurt.We have enough problems without knowing who the HC is going to be next year.

 

[upstater]

I don't believe that he doesn't know what he is going to do and can't figure out why he pulls this every year. The AD should put some pressure on JC to make a decision so recruiting doesn't get hurt.We have enough problems without knowing who the HC is going to be next year.

You think recruiting isn't going to be hurt when JC steps down?

There are two relevant questions, will Calhoun's replacement recruit better players than the 70 year-old year-to-year Calhoun?

And, will Calhoun's replacement coach those players (whether they are better or worse than those Calhoun would recruit) to perform at a higher level than Calhoun otherwise would?

 

[Danzz]

You think recruiting isn't going to be hurt when JC steps down?

There are two relevant questions, will Calhoun's replacement recruit better players than the 70 year-old year-to-year Calhoun?

And, will Calhoun's replacement coach those players (whether they are better or worse than those Calhoun would recruit) to perform at a higher level than Calhoun otherwise would?

Calhoun has maybe 2 years left. I never questioned his coaching ability and there is no way to know how well his successor will coach. Recruiting is already hurting us because of the tourney ban and the transfers. We can deal with that but JC's annual decision process hurts even more.Ask yourself this: if you had a highly recruited son would you want him to go to Uconn and if so why? There are plenty of good coaches and programs out there where you know who the coach is going to be. I really believe that the tourney ban is less of a problem than the questions surrondinng JC.

 

[upstater]

Calhoun has maybe 2 years left. I never questioned his coaching ability and there is no way to know how well his successor will coach. Recruiting is already hurting us because of the tourney ban and the transfers. We can deal with that but JC's annual decision process hurts even more.Ask yourself this: if you had a highly recruited son would you want him to go to Uconn and if so why? There are plenty of good coaches and programs out there where you know who the coach is going to be. I really believe that the tourney ban is less of a problem than the questions surrondinng JC.

It was always going to end this way with JC's retirement no matter what. It's normal. There should be a falloff in recruiting unless they land Billy Donovan or Sean Miller or Mark Few. I don't know what people are thinking, but blue chippers are likely not going to flock to UConn to play for Shaka Smart. So, I do expect recruiting to take a dip, just as I always expected it to regardless. It's not easy to replace a guy like Calhoun.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

It was always going to end this way with JC's retirement no matter what. It's normal. There should be a falloff in recruiting unless they land Billy Donovan or Sean Miller or Mark Few. I don't know what people are thinking, but blue chippers are likely not going to flock to UConn to play for Shaka Smart. So, I do expect recruiting to take a dip, just as I always expected it to regardless. It's not easy to replace a guy like Calhoun.

Of course players would prefer Mark Few over Shaka. Who are you trying to fool?

 

[upstater]

Of course players would prefer Mark Few over Shaka. Who are you trying to fool?

Mark Few recruits kids to a tiny Catholic school and then puts them in the NBA. Shaka may do that eventually but he doesn't do that now.

 

[Hoophound]

Mark Few recruits kids to a tiny Catholic school and then puts them in the NBA. Shaka may do that eventually but he doesn't do that now.

Mark Few is never leaving Gonzaga. He isn't a beloved figure and isn't sought out by other big schools too often. He isn't on our list, I am almost sure of it. Miller is worth a phone call and Donovan may be too, but his family loves Gainesville as I understand it. Not only do the Gators pay him well, but there is no state income tax there.

Shaka is going to recruit very well imo. He has the personality, style of play and charisma kids like. He is young and the players will relate to him. He would be a recruiting juggernaut at UConn. The question is, can he coach successfully at the highest lever year in and year out?