it's time

[freescooter]

The time has come. I hate to say it, but I think it is time for Coach Calhoun to hang them up. this situation is begining to feel very much like lots of others when the legendary head coach hangs around too long. Arizona in Lute's final couple of seasons. Florida State football during Bowdens last few years. the list just goes on and on. And while I agree that he has earned the right to decide when he will leave, it would be in the best interest of the program for him to do it sooner rather than later. Next year will be a disaster. And it will be tough to recover from that and tough to recruit as players start questioning how long he'll remain. Not to mention the recent Emmerett comments praising schools forfiring coaches who had off field/court issues. While I don't think the NCAA necessarily has a vindetta aginst UCONN, they are less likely to give us a break if we screw something up than with a whole new coaching staff. The chance to bring in a great young coach (I love Smart) or even an established name is there. it will be otugher to do if we're stuck at 15-17 or an NIT contender or worse for a few years. And the "new" Big East isn't going to make it any easier. the chance for Calhoun to preserve what he has built, in an odd sort of way, is best if he retires now.

Whiel I'd love to think that people who disagree with my view will provide arguments for their position, I know that won't happen. So fire away.

 

[tykurez]

No.

Calhoun rides out the remaining 2 years of his contract, where UConn puts the APR/NCAA junk of the past few years behind them, opens up a brand new state-of-the-art practice facility, and guides a team that most thought was dead in the water to one last successful season while setting it up for the future.

Why are we acting like this program has been in decline under Calhoun's watch for the last 5+ years? We are one year removed from a national championship. We are also one year away from putting all this drama behind us.

 

[UConn990411]

Eh, duck* off.

 

[61cygni]

Maybe next year will be a disaster. If it is, it will be hard to recover. Who do you want recovering the program? The guy who built it up from next to nothing, or a young hotshot who will feel the pressure of filling the shoes of a 3 time National Champion? This close to retirement, I'd bet Calhoun isn't willing to put more violations up for the NCAA to swing at. Can you say the same for a new young coach who will undoubtedly have huge and probably unrealistic expectations for what he should achieve in the next 5 years?

We won't need the NCAA to give us a break, if we don't do anything that would allow them to drop the hammer.

Whenever he leaves, it will be a hard transition, whether it's now, or whether it's 2 or 4 years from now. Preservation isn't leaving and saying, "Gee, I hope someone cleans up this mess."

Even with a rough patch, I don't think we drop off as much with recruiting as long as we hit the right successor whenever Coach calls it a career. Recruits want playtime, tradition, history, crowds, and a showcase. We have history and tradition with 3 NCs. Future recruits growing up will have watched UConn at its best.

Don't bow to Emmerett. Don't pressure Calhoun to leave because Emmerett praised some schools for firing their coaches. Don't give them an excuse to tear us a new one.

I'll take Calhoun for as long as he'll give us.

 

[phillionaire]

it's time for you to share whatever you're smoking

 

[rbny1]

Calhoun has earned the right to make his own call. Under his leadership, the program has succeeded beyond anyone's wildest expectations. It will be a sad day when he retires.

 

[djct1999]

i dont have a strong conviction either way. id support the program moving on, only if the right person accepts the job. i would hope that this process is done behind the scenes and only made public when someone is already lined up. would hate for it to become a situation like illinois, where shaka turn its down and we move on to our third and fourth option. that would be disasterous. to those who are in full support of calhoun, i have to ask how exactly will he get us out of this without clarity on who the next coach will be. he is 70 years old. other coaches are trashing us behind the scenes. even if a recruit is dying to play for calhoun, why would he ever commit knowing that coach is done in 2 years anyway? i have said it before, without a clear, public plan of our future, this program is at a standstill. i just hope that the same pride and stubborness that has made coach calhoun who he is and what this program is all about isnt ultimately, his and its downfall.

 

[djct1999]

Calhoun has earned the right to make his own call. Under his leadership, the program has succeeded beyond anyone's wildest expectations. It will be a sad day when he retires.

100% correct on all accounts......that doesnt necessarily mean it isnt time to move on.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

to leave so we can have another coach come in with a depleted roster under a bunch of turmoil expected to turn things around? Are you nuts?

 

[upstater]

I don't see why you're requiring arguments for your position when all you've offered is comparisons to Bowden and Olson. I mean, what are we supposed to do? Argue that Calhoun isn't like Olson? Huh?

Make some points about why Calhoun is failing, and then maybe we could have a discussion.

 

[Kitaman]

 

[nomar]

Stupid.

This team was dead and buried two years ago. Now we're a title richer.

It's a low point. Next season is going to stink.

But it's not over. I guess you don't realize that the arguments you are making are EXACTLY the same arguments that were made two years ago about Calhoun and the program?

Santayana is rolling over in his grave.

 

[prankster]

The time has come. I hate to say it, but I think it is time for Coach Calhoun to hang them up. this situation is begining to feel very much like lots of others when the legendary head coach hangs around too long. Arizona in Lute's final couple of seasons. Florida State football during Bowdens last few years. the list just goes on and on. And while I agree that he has earned the right to decide when he will leave, it would be in the best interest of the program for him to do it sooner rather than later. Next year will be a disaster. And it will be tough to recover from that and tough to recruit as players start questioning how long he'll remain. Not to mention the recent Emmerett comments praising schools forfiring coaches who had off field/court issues. While I don't think the NCAA necessarily has a vindetta aginst UCONN, they are less likely to give us a break if we screw something up than with a whole new coaching staff. The chance to bring in a great young coach (I love Smart) or even an established name is there. it will be otugher to do if we're stuck at 15-17 or an NIT contender or worse for a few years. And the "new" Big East isn't going to make it any easier. the chance for Calhoun to preserve what he has built, in an odd sort of way, is best if he retires now.

Whiel I'd love to think that people who disagree with my view will provide arguments for their position, I know that won't happen. So fire away.

So....when the program hits a rough patch, your advice is to fire the coach....

Some of us are old enough to remember when Calhoun first came to UConn....and to see what he has built....and to witness how he did it with lesser talent, and a dogged adherance to a work ethic.

So, for the first time in a very long time, UConn does not simply "reload".... That's some pretty hard cheese, right there... But, frankly, I believe that we will do well, again, next year....because we have an exceptional coaching staff....and we will have an array of players who have the necessary commitment to the program...

And for the NCAA and Emmert....the comments that you make "While I don't think the NCAA necessarily has a vindetta (sic) aginst (sic) UCONN, they are less likely to give us a break if we screw something up than with a whole new coaching staff..." and "Not to mention the recent Emmerett comments praising schools forfiring (sic) coaches who had off field/court issues...." You defeat your own argument.

What you outline is a textbook definition of a vendetta. And if there is any scintilla of truth to what you are posting....then that itself is ample reason to not give Emmert what it is that he (and you) want...

Suck balls, the both of you....

And may there be an Attorney General, in Connecticut, preparing the lawsuit against the NCAA, even as we speak....(may it be filled to the brim with discovery motions, and packed to the rafters with damages).

Since Calhoun arrived on the scene, UConn has succeeded, because the team reflects the personality of the coach....and your answer is to throw all that success overboard.

Wow! If I were potential head coach candidate I couldn't wait to be scooped up by an organization that was itching to throw me under the wheels of the bus! < /sarcasm>

Please go away....change your school affiliation... maybe just post on some Yahoo message board.

 

[The Funster]

I think it's always difficult when an iconic coach is in his last years. I don't think Calhoun is an NCAA target, or is no more a target than quite a few other coaches. I also think the APR situation, even if we miss post season next year, can end up as a net positive. Yeah, next year may be a tough one to take but I think the program can emerge and be as good as ever.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

When was the last time Olson or Bowden won a championship before retiring ?? I will bet it will be a long time before they win anything with the new coaches they have and will probably have muliple coaching changes before they win anything. Again I will repeat what I have any many others have said that one year removed from a national championship is just crazy to call for coach to retire. Why can't he coach till he is 80 if healthy ?? Again coach is responsible for some of this but The NCAA is a joke and just not fair in all this.

 

[Excalibur]

The time has come. I hate to say it, but I think it is time for Coach Calhoun to hang them up. this situation is begining to feel very much like lots of others when the legendary head coach hangs around too long. Arizona in Lute's final couple of seasons. Florida State football during Bowdens last few years. the list just goes on and on. And while I agree that he has earned the right to decide when he will leave, it would be in the best interest of the program for him to do it sooner rather than later. Next year will be a disaster. And it will be tough to recover from that and tough to recruit as players start questioning how long he'll remain. Not to mention the recent Emmerett comments praising schools forfiring coaches who had off field/court issues. While I don't think the NCAA necessarily has a vindetta aginst UCONN, they are less likely to give us a break if we screw something up than with a whole new coaching staff. The chance to bring in a great young coach (I love Smart) or even an established name is there. it will be otugher to do if we're stuck at 15-17 or an NIT contender or worse for a few years. And the "new" Big East isn't going to make it any easier. the chance for Calhoun to preserve what he has built, in an odd sort of way, is best if he retires now.

Whiel I'd love to think that people who disagree with my view will provide arguments for their position, I know that won't happen. So fire away.

I think the analogy is poor. Many of us rightly fear us becoming Louisville at the end of the Denny Crum era, this has much more to do with the postseason ban than uncertainty about Calhoun's future. Was he any more certain to return last year, when we scored what we considered at the time to be three very good recruits (Boatright, Daniels, and Drummond at the end)?

The potential postseason ban and lack of a practice facility will also hinder the search for a replacement.

 

[willie99]

while some people may value what AO or RS may think over what JC thinks, I couldn't disagree with them more

the Bowden and / or Paterno arguments are just plain silly. Calhoun has been to the pinnacle of his profession 2 of the last 4 seasons, and is one season removed from a NC. If things $uck for the next DECADE, you can speak such words. Right now, such argument is as irrelevant as irrelevant can be.

 

[freescooter]

The program has been surrounded by controversey since 2005. Even the 2009 final four was marred by the NCAA investigation. Last year was a breath of fresh air, for sure, but it was followed up by the APR mess. But this situation is very different from say 2007, the last time UCONN missed the post season. this isn't a case where UCONN is waiting for a young group to mature. This is a point where we're hoping that Michael Bradely decides not to transfer. Let me repeat that. We are at point where people are hoping Michael Bradley doesn't transfer. We are going to miss out on not only the NCAA next year, but even the Big East Tournament. We have a coach who will be be here 2 more years at most, assuming his health holds up. Recruiting is going to be a real bear next year, too. In case none of you speak to anyone who isn't a UCONN fan, there is a perspective that UCONN is a dirty program. And now it is going to be a mess too. Time to bring in a new, popular guy who will have little pressure but lots of opportunity to set thing on the right track. Better for Calhoun to leave now than to leave in 2-3 years with a string of losing seasons and people saying "He stayed too long."

Excalibur, Denny Crum is a great example.

 

[Reno]

I think the main/only reason for Jim Calhoun to retire is that this is a long-term rebuilding project and he is nearly 70 years old.

 

[UConn990411]

The program has been surrounded by controversey since 2005. Even the 2009 final four was marred by the NCAA investigation. Last year was a breath of fresh air, for sure, but it was followed up by the APR mess. But this situation is very different from say 2007, the last time UCONN missed the post season. this isn't a case where UCONN is waiting for a young group to mature. This is a point where we're hoping that Michael Bradely decides not to transfer. Let me repeat that. We are at point where people are hoping Michael Bradley doesn't transfer. We are going to miss out on not only the NCAA next year, but even the Big East Tournament. We have a coach who will be be here 2 more years at most, assuming his health holds up. Recruiting is going to be a real bear next year, too. In case none of you speak to anyone who isn't a UCONN fan, there is a perspective that UCONN is a dirty program. And now it is going to be a mess too. Time to bring in a new, popular guy who will have little pressure but lots of opportunity to set thing on the right track. Better for Calhoun to leave now than to leave in 2-3 years with a string of losing seasons and people saying "He stayed too long."

Not that I completely disagree with you (I would throw in the fact that he has to miss games seemingly every year as another factor)...but there are a slew of reasons why this is a worthless thread.

First off, Calhoun has pretty much earned the right to retire when he wants. This isn't ideal or necessarily what's best for the program, but considering he built UConn into a national power from scratch, that's simply the reality.

The other reason is that this would be a terrible time to try to hire someone for the job. With the looming APR ban and the probation/recruiting restrictions, why not let Calhoun take the bullet the next couple years if he's willing to? I would think the UConn job would be far more appealing if those things were not hanging over the incoming coach's head.

And oh, by the way, Calhoun is retiring pretty much when he wants to, so this is a meaningless thread.

edit: I forgot to mention that there's still the possibility Calhoun, you know, wins with these group of players. After all, he's a year removed from a NC (and for the first time in his career, has two in a 4-year span).

So there's that, too.

 

[upstater]

I think the main/only reason for Jim Calhoun to retire is that this is a long-term rebuilding project and he is nearly 70 years old.

Long-term rebuilding project? Where do you guys come up with this stuff?

 

[upstater]

The program has been surrounded by controversey since 2005. Even the 2009 final four was marred by the NCAA investigation. Last year was a breath of fresh air, for sure, but it was followed up by the APR mess. But this situation is very different from say 2007, the last time UCONN missed the post season. this isn't a case where UCONN is waiting for a young group to mature. This is a point where we're hoping that Michael Bradely decides not to transfer. Let me repeat that. We are at point where people are hoping Michael Bradley doesn't transfer. We are going to miss out on not only the NCAA next year, but even the Big East Tournament. We have a coach who will be be here 2 more years at most, assuming his health holds up. Recruiting is going to be a real bear next year, too. In case none of you speak to anyone who isn't a UCONN fan, there is a perspective that UCONN is a dirty program. And now it is going to be a mess too. Time to bring in a new, popular guy who will have little pressure but lots of opportunity to set thing on the right track. Better for Calhoun to leave now than to leave in 2-3 years with a string of losing seasons and people saying "He stayed too long."

Excalibur, Denny Crum is a great example.

What controversy in 2005? Please tell me you're not talking about the laptops.

 

[upstater]

while some people may value what AO or RS may think over what JC thinks, I couldn't disagree with them more

the Bowden and / or Paterno arguments are just plain silly. Calhoun has been to the pinnacle of his profession 2 of the last 4 seasons, and is one season removed from a NC. If things $uck for the next DECADE, you can speak such words. Right now, such argument is as irrelevant as irrelevant can be.

Not to mention Paterno was 85 when he resigned, not 70. At 70, Paterno's team was ranked #1 in the USA.

 

[TheRogers]

We have a weakened roster as it is and our one ace up our sleeve is the wisdom and basketball savy of our headcoach. Why do you want to get rid of that as well? Also worth mentioning, if JC goes, our starting PG will most likely go as well.

 

[freescooter]

What controversy in 2005? Please tell me you're not talking about the laptops.

We won a national championship in 2004. The laptop story broke in th esummer of 2005 and hung over the team all year. The 2006 team collapsed. then came Nate Miles and his eligibility issues. the Wiggins situation. Wiggins' 'birthday" that resulted in a suspention for failing a drug test for another player, Nate volume II and his expulsion...APR issues, loss of scholarships, Nate Part the Third and the NCAA penalties...NCAA probation...NCAA post season ban...and tose are just the ones I can think of...the major ones. Calhoun has largely avoided criticism because he has won. But I'm not sure that is going to hold if we have a few losing seasons.

And upstater, in hindsight do you think Penn State wishes they had asked Paterno to leave sooner than they did? It would have been a much better outcome for both parties I suspect.