It's Time

[Kitaman]

He's not bigger than the program.
He is the program.

Like John Wooden to UCLA, Bob Knight to Indiana, Dean Smith to UNC. Its called irreplaceable. I don't envy his replacement.

How does one replace the best?

I am guilty of taking him for granted too often, but it will be a sad day when he goes. That's why I oppose posts like this on the same day of a loss. Its an emotional subject for UConn fans and one that will invite feedback that the OP received. To me its a discussion more suited for off-season and certainly not when the coach is out sick and in the midst of a storm.

 

[swami7774]

You guys don't think a pending postseason ban sheds new light on the program? Gimme some o'that Kool-Aid. It's stronger than any controlled drug on the market.
In my opinion, Calhoun is no lower than 4th on the list of alltime coaches. But something like this, combined with the Miles fiasco, can't be brushed off. It's serious and will affect the program adversely for who knows how long.
So go ahead and lambaste me, even though I'm a proud UConn grad(which many of you certainly are not) who is grateful beyond words for what he's meant to the university.
(BTW, Henry, I've got you beat by 6 years of Husky-watching.)

 

[SouthTampaBill]

One word - Moronic

I think some of these posters calling him an idiot even though he makes thoughtful points think that Henry is insulting their mommy.
You must always remember that this board is not an exchange of ideas and opinions but a the rah rah board where no UConn player or coach can do wrong and all are give a very long leash no matter what.

 

[Henry]

Sure you have,,, btw I assume you hate your parents for naming you Henry,,

Not as much as your parents naming you Drewdog85!

 

[champs99and04]

I think some of these posters calling him an idiot even though he makes thoughtful points think that Henry is insulting their mommy.
You must always remember that this board is not an exchange of ideas and opinions but a the rah rah board where no UConn player or coach can do wrong and all are give a very long leash no matter what.[/quote

I think every thread gets at least 70% worse when you post in it. Couple that with the other posters calling for Calhoun to "pass the torch" when he just won a National Championship last year, and I am baffled. Again, this is not Joe Paterno. He's 70 years old, and as long as he's healthy, he's the guy I want coaching this team, and the ONLY guy I want coaching this team. /thread

 

[NOTaDIME]

We have to look at what we know as of right now. We know that there is a good chance we face a post-season ban next year and it could have a devastating effect on our program. People want to try and have a changing of the guard here with someone that is much more unproven than JC? (whoever that may be, they will be much more unproven than JC) We know what we have with him. We have a HOF coach, a three time national champ, and a guy that completely turned a program into a perennial powerhouse. I would much rather have JC take us through this storm than "step down" in the midst of it and if you care about the program you SHOULD feel much better having him at the helm through this crucial time for the future of our program.

 

[caw]

Assuming the tounament ban is not lifted for next year, it is time for Coach Calhoun to consider stepping down. If there is no tournament next year, Lamb and Drummond will leave this year, Omar Calhoun will probably reconsider and it will be more difficult to recruit for 2013-14. How many kids will be willing to commit to a school with a coach who would be 72 years old and has missed time for multiple health issues? In the 90's, Rick Pitino was able to rebuild at Kentucky while they were banned from the tournament and on probation. We will never see another coach like Jim Calhoun at UCONN but if he really wants what is best for the school he will help us transition to a new coach. I would like to thank him for all he has done for us, the school and UCONN basketball but it is time.

I understand what you are saying but will have to disagree for a number of reasons:

1. He won it last year
2. He was in a final four 3 years ago
3. He is one of the top 5 active bench coaches
4. He has stated he wants to coach through when the Nate Miles stuff is behind the UConn program
5. If Ollie is the successor, the longer Calhoun coaches and Ollie can learn from him, the better
6. He may or not be bigger than the program, but it doesn't matter IMO because there is no one as good that can/will replace him whenever he retires.
7. Why make it harder on the incoming coach, if it isn't Ollie- who would want to take over a program that isn't eligible for the NCAAT in their first year? Add in that said coach would only have 10 available scholarships to work with? Even if UConn is a top 5-10 program for a coach, why in gods name would anyone want to start their tenure replacing Calhoun and have to do so with the issues already at UConn
8. I think the Nates Miles stuff ends in 2012-2013, Calhoun may be gone after that season, but I don't think any earlier
9. If Calhoun hangs them up it gives Omar Calhoun a reason to ask for his scholarship/commitment to be taken back as well as other players to leave. This is point is here purely bc I want Calhoun in a UConn uniform.
10. Next year, if Ollie is the next in line I would love for Blaney to retire if Calhoun is on the sidelines, but that is the only major change I would want to see. This is not to impugn Blaney, but I want Ollie to be have more responsibilities if he is going to take over.

There are at least 3 steps left before the NCAA ban is finalized. First is the meeting to discuss using the 2011-2012, 2010-2011 data. This meeting is scheduled by the NCAA for Feb. 20th. This has a decent shot of going through. I wonder if there are any teams that would be negatively impacted by using this data set?

Second, UConn can appeal the waiver denial with the Board of Academic advisors (or whatever it's called) and finally if that is rejected they can appeal to the head of that board.

UConn may not get scholarships back but I think they will become eligible for the NCAAT when it's all said and done. I've been wrong before though.

 

[spoop]

I think some of these posters calling him an idiot even though he makes thoughtful points think that Henry is insulting their mommy.
You must always remember that this board is not an exchange of ideas and opinions but a the rah rah board where no UConn player or coach can do wrong and all are give a very long leash no matter what.

nah, only those 6'6" 250 and larger are free from criticism

 

[nomar]

I think some of these posters calling him an idiot even though he makes thoughtful points think that Henry is insulting their mommy.
You must always remember that this board is not an exchange of ideas and opinions but a the rah rah board where no UConn player or coach can do wrong and all are give a very long leash no matter what.

Oh, shut up.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

I think some of these posters calling him an idiot even though he makes thoughtful points think that Henry is insulting their mommy.
You must always remember that this board is not an exchange of ideas and opinions but a the rah rah board where no UConn player or coach can do wrong and all are give a very long leash no matter what.

Ok maybe moronic is a little strong but like most posters have said - it is not the time for Calhoun to step down after just winning the NC. There is no one better to get us out of this mess then Calhoun. By the way - who thinks the NCAA has been fair in any of this over the last 2 years ?

 

[tzznandrew]

Ok maybe moronic is a little strong but like most posters have said - it is not the time for Calhoun to step down after just winning the NC. There is no one better to get us out of this mess then Calhoun. By the way - who thinks the NCAA has been fair in any of this over the last 2 years ?

No, it is not to strong. It may not be strong enough.

It's not time to step down when you're a Top 25 RPI team a year after a title and 3 years after a Final Four.

By that logic, in 2009, Coach K should have committed sepuku.

 

[uconNYC]

Calhoun is still one of the top 5 coaches in the country. While Kemba was instrumental to last year's NC, JC totally out-coached opponents in many games including Pitt in the BET and the NC finals.

Completely disagree with the Calhoun is bigger than the program and can stepdown when he chooses sentiments. I believe it's this type of attitude that led to all our off-the-court issues in the past few years - no one had the guts to confront JC.

 

[DrewDog85]

Not as much as your parents naming you Drewdog85!

Great point!

 

[The Funster]

Nate Miles.

I said it then and I say it now: Nate Miles was Moby Dick to Jim Calhoun's Ahab.

That being said, were JC to step down (and at this point in time I still believe it is his decision) this would be the best time for him to do so. He finishes this season (hopefully) and hands off the reins to Ollie with reduced pressure (assuming no dance card next year). The hardest thing to do is be the man that replaces The Man but a years buffer would really help Ollie do so, IMO.

Right now, if JC wants to stay, he stays but I also believe there may come the day when it is no longer JC's decision.

 

[freescooter]

Um the future isn't that bright without Calhoun moron. Two final fours and a championship in three years.

Then Calhoun didn't really build UCONN into a major program. Just a presonal fiefdom. When he does retire, UCONN should simply look to joining the CAA or maybe the MAAC or the NEC. And certainly no need to spend millions on a practice center. Since UCONN can't/won't survive the retirement of Calhoun, won't be able to recruit a highly qualified replacement and certainly won't return to the Top 25 never mind the top 10, we might as well save that money. Maybe to refurbish the Field House.

You guys are simply unbelievable. UCONN is not Jim Calhoun any more. There are opportunities to land high profile coaches, or guys with big time upsides, (personally, If Shaka Smart would come, I'd personally ask Calhoun to step down after this season. Guy reminds me of Jim Calhoun in his Northeastern days), precisely because UCONN is UCONN. It is a national brand. People know UCONN knows how to do what needs to be done to win games, and championships.

 

[freescooter]

Nate Miles.

I said it then and I say it now: Nate Miles was Moby Dick to Jim Calhoun's Ahab.

That being said, were JC to step down (and at this point in time I still believe it is his decision) this would be the best time for him to do so. He finishes this season (hopefully) and hands off the reins to Ollie with reduced pressure (assuming no dance card next year). The hardest thing to do is be the man that replaces The Man but a years buffer would really help Ollie do so, IMO.

Right now, if JC wants to stay, he stays but I also believe there may come the day when it is no longer JC's decision.

This is right on. New President. New AD. Niether one has any real allegiance to Calhoun, despite what they may say publicly. And you have to believe that President Herbst is ticked that she is in a position of begging the NCAA for a waiver when slimeborg programs like Memphis, and anything touched by Calipari, actually met the requirements. By the way, I would be shocked if Ollie lands the head coaching job after Calhoun, unless it is in effect an "interim appointment" for a year or two to get UCONN past all the NCAA sanctions and post seasons bans and so forth, at which point, assuming he has the modest success I suspect he'll have, he can be replaced by a big name guy who will be brought in to "restore" the program.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Love your passion on this subject and agree with you but you still can not ban him.

Agree and add that free speech isn't something that should be determined by a $10 bet.

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

Bet you 10 bucks I am a bigger free speech proponent than are you.
That said, this is a private message board, and private organizations/groups have an absolute right to restrict any speech they want. The NAACP should not have to listen to racist garbage, and the KKK should not have to listen to reason.

Oh. And a message board created and run for the purpose of group enjoyment of UConn basketball should be able to and can put any restrictions on speech that they want.

bet YOU 10 bucks my free speech is bigger than yours...

 

[RabidHusky]

Two large components of JC's success are his will to win and his toughness. All the"Calhoun Guys" now coaching the team are over achievers who's success was determined by hard work and buying into the system. Ollie is a great example for the kids and a super nice guy as a recruiter recruiter but I'm not sure he has the toughness and will to make the "Calhoun system " work. Is he a big man's coach or a shooting mechanics coach? He didn't show that in his playing career. I think JC is a once in a lifetime tough Irishman that's irreplaceable in this day and age. When he leaves I think were gonna have to look for a different kind of Head coach.

 

[caw]

This is right on. New President. New AD. Niether one has any real allegiance to Calhoun, despite what they may say publicly. And you have to believe that President Herbst is ticked that she is in a position of begging the NCAA for a waiver when slimeborg programs like Memphis, and anything touched by Calipari, actually met the requirements. By the way, I would be shocked if Ollie lands the head coaching job after Calhoun, unless it is in effect an "interim appointment" for a year or two to get UCONN past all the NCAA sanctions and post seasons bans and so forth, at which point, assuming he has the modest success I suspect he'll have, he can be replaced by a big name guy who will be brought in to "restore" the program.

Not that I necessarily disagree with you, in that it could happen that way.

My question is, who supports Ollie for coach? If Calhoun does (as has been rumored), do the NBA guys? Do the other coaches ( Blaney, etc.)? Do the current players? How serious is that support? How about donors?

If Blaney, Calhoun, Ray Allen, etc. give the AD/President a call in support of Ollie, that is a pretty large push. For that matter, it's possible Ollie could get support from NBA guys (coaches) not UConn guys. I'm just speculating of course.

 

[HuskyFan32]

Im in no way saying that I want Calhoun to step down but it would be nice to see what Kevin Ollie can do. I mean its not that far off in the future that we all have to become fans of Uconn without Calhoun. Simply put, what is the point of letting Blaney, who is older than Calhoun, coach? George Blaney is in no way part of Uconn basketball's future. Hes shown that at best we will be .500 with him running the show. No upside to Blaney. Plenty of potential upside with Ollie. And at least we would get a clearer picture of how capable he would be as Calhoun's successor.

 

[HuskyFan32]

Two large components of JC's success are his will to win and his toughness. All the"Calhoun Guys" now coaching the team are over achievers who's success was determined by hard work and buying into the system. Ollie is a great example for the kids and a super nice guy as a recruiter recruiter but I'm not sure he has the toughness and will to make the "Calhoun system " work. Is he a big man's coach or a shooting mechanics coach? He didn't show that in his playing career. I think JC is a once in a lifetime tough Irishman that's irreplaceable in this day and age. When he leaves I think were gonna have to look for a different kind of Head coach.

Which is exactly what Kevin Ollie is as you pointed out so Im not sure what youre trying to say.

 

[HuskyFan32]

Not that I necessarily disagree with you, in that it could happen that way.

My question is, who supports Ollie for coach? If Calhoun does (as has been rumored), do the NBA guys? Do the other coaches ( Blaney, etc.)? Do the current players? How serious is that support? How about donors?

If Blaney, Calhoun, Ray Allen, etc. give the AD/President a call in support of Ollie, that is a pretty large push. For that matter, it's possible Ollie could get support from NBA guys (coaches) not UConn guys. I'm just speculating of course.

I would assume that most of the NBA guys would support Ollie seeing as he played in the league with most of them, and by all accounts he is respected by all. Im not sure it really matters what Blaney thinks seeing as he is most likely gone when Calhoun leaves. Nobody really knows what to expect of the new AD, so that part is unclear. I personally think Kevin Ollie would make a great head coach, and Im pissed that he wasnt given a shot this year.

 

[caw]

I would assume that most of the NBA guys would support Ollie seeing as he played in the league with most of them, and by all accounts he is respected by all. Im not sure it really matters what Blaney thinks seeing as he is most likely gone when Calhoun leaves. Nobody really knows what to expect of the new AD, so that part is unclear. I personally think Kevin Ollie would make a great head coach, and Im pissed that he wasnt given a shot this year.

I agree.

As to the Blaney or other assistants, I would consider this like any other job - a peer review. If the head coach is saying he would do a good job, well that's one thing, if his peers are also saying it, it's another. I'm not saying Blaney alone would get anyone a job, but it just adds more weight to Ollie's cause if Blaney supports him taking over as well.

 

[HuskyFan32]

I agree.

As to the Blaney or other assistants, I would consider this like any other job - a peer review. If the head coach is saying he would do a good job, well that's one thing, if his peers are also saying it, it's another. I'm not saying Blaney alone would get anyone a job, but it just adds more weight to Ollie's cause if Blaney supports him taking over as well.

I agree.

As to the Blaney or other assistants, I would consider this like any other job - a peer review. If the head coach is saying he would do a good job, well that's one thing, if his peers are also saying it, it's another. I'm not saying Blaney alone would get anyone a job, but it just adds more weight to Ollie's cause if Blaney supports him taking over as well.

True. Good point. I would assume our assistants would also back Ollie but based solely on the fact that nobody seems to have a bad thing to say about him. All of this makes the current situation all the more frustrating. We would at least have some idea of how he is at coming up with a gameplan and also as an in game coach. He seems to be a good recruiter and nobody ever knows how effective somebody is going to be at running a program until you let them do it. I really wish we gave him a shot this year. Who knows what wouldve happened but we couldn't really be in a worse spot than we are now