Calhoun Taking medical Leave

[CL82]

For those who are curious Spinal Stenosis

We should start a separate Get well Coach thread and forward the well wishes on to Calhoun.

 

[NutmegState]

Time to throw the bank at Smart or Stevens. Ollie isn't nearly ready or yet worthy of the job.

Yep.

 

[UConn77]

Win one for the Gipper.
No positive spins on this. Kinda of reminds me of a few other coaches down the stretch. Iwas hoping Jim would make it through the Pitt and SU exit and then bow out. Prognosis for his age at this point is usually surgery and up to one year of rehab or restricted activity

Wouldn't that be The Gimper?

 

[willie99]

I guess this can explain is lack of movement on the bench the past couple games. Hope all is well and that he can return soon.

true

 

[zls44]

BTW, I want Smart or Stevens because Calhoun has earned the right to ride off into the sunset and enjoy retirement. Maybe it's time.

 

[caw]

Time to throw the bank at Smart or Stevens. Ollie isn't nearly ready or yet worthy of the job.

I think there are those at UConn who would disagree with this.

I wouldn't mind Smart or Stevens and would be pretty happy with either but don't discount Ollie.

 

[zls44]

I think there are those at UConn who would disagree with this.

I wouldn't mind Smart or Stevens and would be pretty happy with either but don't discount Ollie.

Its a hell of a place to try and learn on the fly. I think he could be really good. But no other coach at any school in the Big East would be les experienced. He can recruit no doubt. But I don't think its worth the risk over the other two.

BTW, VCU is red hot since December. Theyre laying in the weeds again and will give somebody absolute hell in March.

 

[caw]

Its a hell of a place to try and learn on the fly. I think he could be really good. But no other coach at any school in the Big East would be les experienced. He can recruit no doubt. But I don't think its worth the risk over the other two.

BTW, VCU is red hot since December. Theyre laying in the weeds again and will give somebody absolute hell in March.

I agree to an extent.

I look at it this way, Kevin Ollie has:

1. 2 or more years of being an assistant under one of the greatest coaches in college basketball history
2. 4 years being that coach's, "coach" on the floor
3. 13 years of learning basketball from some of the greatest basketball minds alive
4. He has the backing of Herbst and Calhoun in all likelihood

If they decide Ollie isn't ready, I hope they get someone as good as Smart or Stevens and whoever it is pans out. If they go after someone not great instead of Ollie, I would be disappointed.
Honestly, if he doesn't get the UConn job, I wouldn't be shocked if he was hired as an assistant or higher in the NBA.

 

[joober jones]

Very sad news, my thoughts and prayers will be with him.

 

[gars44]

You don't get spinal stenosis from emotional stress.

Exactly right. It's an arthritic condition that causes narrowing or encroachment of bony spurring into the spinal canal. Actually, it's very common. What's not common is that it gets so severe that one needs to take an indefinite leave of absence. His condition is probably well advanced given the active nature of his lifestyle over so many decades. Hopefully, with a little rest he'll be back in a couple of weeks.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

this team's play has driven him sick. Maybe they will play harder and hopefully win these next 2 games for him. If we can't beat a reeling Seton Hall team at home than we dont deserve to make the NCAA tournament.

you just continue to outdo yourself.

 

[RichZ]

Damn. My wife & I both suffer bad backs that pinch the nerves. It ain't any fun just doing the things you need to do on a daily basis. I can't imagine trying to coach a basketball team at the same time. Get well coach, get well.

 

[whaler11]

Jim Calhoun is stepping aside because of a back problem... and you guys believe this? Do any of you believe for a second that K had to walk away at Duke in 1995?

George... Pete. Pete... George.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Get better Coach!

 

[UCweCONN]

I have to say a couple of days ago when I was reading all of the Calhoun has lost control of the team, has lost his fire, looks like he's given up posts, I was going to post that I sense a medical leave of absence coming. I would have been half joking but half serious as well. I wonder if this back situation is the same as the problem he had in 2009 since there was never a definitive explanation for that or if maybe he was injured in the bicycle crash when he injured his ribs.

After this latest medical leave, I think it is really time for JC to retire. We have enough baggage for other schools to use against us in recruiting wars without again adding his health to the list. He is not getting any younger and you never know when another medical leave will happen. Coaching at a high level is extremely demanding both physically as well as mentally and you have to be able to bear up to be successful. As the saying goes, "The mind may be willing but the body is weak." No matter how strong someone's will is no one can be successful when they physically breakdown.

Calhoun has been unbelievable and the program owes everything to him but this seems to be the time since if he wants to leave on top it probably was after last season. At this point, he should make taking care of himself the main focus.

 

[District-Husky]

 

[sportsart]

I think it would be selfish of me to wish for JC to come back. My hope is he gets healthy and then retires. I hope the team makes a run and does well in the BET and makes a deep run in the tourney. If he could make it back in some capacity this year great...not next year though.

Again, it's time for JC to enjoy life, get the practice facility built, name it after him and move forward. (I imagine the 4.5 mill donor might want their name on it)

 

[mets1090]

Again, it's time for JC to enjoy life, get the practice facility built, name it after him and move forward. (I imagine the 4.5 mill donor might want their name on it)

Werth family has said they won't want their name on it. I hope they name it after Calhoun.

 

[Dogbreath2U]

I think it would be selfish of me to wish for JC to come back. My hope is he gets healthy and then retires. I hope the team makes a run and does well in the BET and makes a deep run in the tourney. If he could make it back in some capacity this year great...not next year though.

Again, it's time for JC to enjoy life, get the practice facility built, name it after him and move forward. (I imagine the 4.5 mill donor might want their name on it)

I don't know, I think that it's time for JC to decide what is right for him and to take his time in doing it. He has earned the right.

 

[champs99and04]

Yep...Calhoun has more than earned the right to retire whenever he wants. His health problems are really begginning to pile up, but then again, they were piling up two years ago and he came back to win a national championship.

Maybe he'll be back this season, maybe not. It would be classic to see Calhoun limping out to the bench for the opening round of the Big East tournament, only to have his team win another eleven straight games en route to his fourth National Title. I wouldn't bet against it. The condition looks pretty serious though, and if he can't make it back this season, I'd expect him to retire.

 

[ctchamps]

I don't know, I think that it's time for JC to decide what is right for him and to take his time in doing it. He has earned the right.

Agree. Get well coach. That's the most important thing. You've earned the right to decide what you want to do.

 

[rw005]

Get well coach and drink a Rolling Rock on us!

 

[Danzz]

That would be interesting with Hobbs coaching some but I wish they would let Ollie coach.

Hobbs would be moving to an assitant coach, not acting head coach. This is serious and I wouldn't be surprised to see both he and Blaney retire after this season.But then again he is one stubborn Irishman so who knows.

 

[Tommyboy]

If he is gone for an extended period, I really cant take Blaney as the coach. Give Ollie the interim shot....

 

[UConn2SF]

man such news, get better soon coach.