SI: Jim Calhoun reflects on past, present and whether he will retire

[Clockshop]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/ncaa/09/06/jim-calhoun/index.html

"I would be very, very surprised if I didn't have something to say within the next two weeks,'' he said as he talks more about the past than the future. Calhoun said he has not decided whether or not to retire, but he sounds like he might be ready to step away.

 

[aceboon]

for that poster who was asking why isn't there constant speculation about Boeheim retiring like there is for Calhoun, this is why.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Well, if Calhoun says we'll hear something in the next two weeks, I'm sure we'll hear something by Christmas.

 

[freescooter]

Just make a friggin' decision, Jim. Jeez, you've already dragged it out long enough that there is no chance to hire anyone but Ollie for this year. So just get it over with. the sooner the Ollie experiment starts, the sooner it will end and UConn can hire a real basketball coach to make the program successful again.

 

[UConnSwag11]

would i like him back yes but if he leaves and leaves the program in great standing with the recruiting classes and such then ill be fine

 

[Kitaman]

We need the season to start and quickly. This article doesn't bode confidence. He's weighing his options but the more discussion/consideration he has of leaving (i.e. not coming back) the more his decision scale seems to be changing.

Its not being handled well is all I can say.

 

[CL82]

Just make a friggin' decision, Jim. Jeez, you've already dragged it out long enough that there is no chance to hire anyone but Ollie for this year. So just get it over with. the sooner the Ollie experiment starts, the sooner it will end and UConn can hire a real basketball coach to make the program successful again.

The decisions been made. I'm not sure which it is, but Jim knows what he will do.

On edit after reading the article:

Calhoun has made it clear that he would prefer the line of succession to include former Husky point guard and current assistant coach Kevin Ollie. When asked if new UConn athletic director Warde Manuel had already designated Ollie as the next coach would there still be any indecision about his future, Calhoun smiled and said, "That didn't happen. It's a university decision and I have confidence they will do the right thing.''

As is usually the case with Calhoun, you get the feeling that he already knows. He's just not ready to tell us.

It's a good read by the way, pretty favorable to Jim.

 

[freescooter]

The decisions been made. I'm not sure which it is, but Jim knows what he will do.

Then just do it for heaven sakes. this will he or won't he nonsense just gets worse and worse every year. I really think that if he comes back this year, the AD needs to grow a pair and tell him he has until May 1, 2013 to decide if he's coming back next season. If no decision, then UConn will begin the process of hiring a new head basketball coach.

 

[ZenConn]

Well, if Calhoun says we'll hear something in the next two weeks, I'm sure we'll hear something by Christmas.

I was expecting something in 20 minutes actually ...

 

[ShocktheWorld]

When Calhoun leaves, he'll do it like Dean Smith -- right before the season, so he can name his successor, at least on an interim basis.

 

[nomar]

Blaudschun has always had a soft spot for Calhoun. He wrote/writes for the Boston Globe, which has always covered UConn basketball favorably.

 

[FASTEDDY]

In reading between the lines, its obvious that Coach Calhoun is going to retire.
Selfishly, I wish he would stay on as long as is possible but it sure sounds like he is ready to retire and give it up to Ollie.

 

[8893]

It is possible that the announcement he plans to make is that this season will be his last.

 

[Hugo]

Blaudschun has always had a soft spot for Calhoun. He wrote/writes for the Boston Globe, which has always covered UConn basketball favorably.

Blaudschun is a good writer and has, as you mention, always treated JC and UCONN well. He also covers college football as well as college BB for the Globe, but I haven't seen anything from him so far this season and was wondering if he still writes for the Globe. He also is/was one of the few Boston writers who doesn't go overboard on BCU. Always thought he preferred writing about JC than anything related to BCU.

 

[UConnSportsGuy]

It is not a coincidence that there has been a bit of a PR push behind Ollie in the past week or two. I think the writing is on the wall and we all know how this is about to go down.

 

[Kitaman]

It is not a coincidence that there has been a bit of a PR push behind Ollie in the past week or two. I think the writing is on the wall and we all know how this is about to go down.

Good point. I think its best to prepare for him leaving and then be pleasantly surprised if we are wrong. I'm just wishing he would have a farewell tour type of retirement, but without a post season it would be muted anyway. We'll see but now I'm leaning towards him leaving.

 

[gwhuskyfan]

The post on Blaudschun's blog is a little different than the SI story. Really makes the point for the Ollie replacement

http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=1195#more-1195

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

would i like him back yes but if he leaves and leaves the program in great standing with the recruiting classes and such then ill be fine

If you spend time reading the tea leaves or in a past life were a gypsy that read the palm of hands you may conclude there will be no hanging up the barage of F words this year. It is counterintuitive to draw the conclusion Ollie or anyone else will inherate this program in its current state as an interim or otherwise. That is not the way Calhoun will exit with the program in disarray. If I am wrong I will jump off the Brooklyn Bridge head first the day (this year) he announces his retirement.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

The post on Blaudschun's blog is a little different than the SI story. Really makes the point for the Ollie replacement

http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=1195#more-1195

"George Blaney, who has been with Calhoun for the last 12 years has more than 30 years head coaching experience..."

I was a little worried about KO's potential resources until I read George would be available!

Someone pass that "EVERCLEAR" 191 proof grain alcohol. I could use a swig! LOL

 

[Dove]

He's done folks. Can't see why anyone has hope. He needs two weeks to work on Manuel and Herbst.

 

[Chief00]

He's done folks. Can't see why anyone has hope. He needs two weeks to work on Manuel and Herbst.

Quite frankly, that's what I have been hearing - wouldn't bet the house on it - The only thing that concerns me is that Manuel seems to want it to be his decision - I think Herbst is ok with Ollie, she will need tell Manuel who to hire but give him cover to make it appear to be his decision.

 

[BLUEDOGHOUSE]

Quite frankly, that's what I have been hearing - wouldn't bet the house on it - The only thing that concerns me is that Manuel seems to want it to be his decision - I think Herbst is ok with Ollie, she will need tell Manuel who to hire but give him cover to make it appear to be his decision.

" wouldn't bet the house on it..."

Are you telling us that you are not going to run out of chips and go ALL-IN on JC hanging em up while betting or calling at the World Series of UConn Coaching Poker? Good strategy!!

So you think Suzie is holding the Big Slick (The Ace & King?). I don't think Warde is playing with dead money though. Your theory has cred on the street. Watch out for the JC BLUFFS though! We may be headed to the NO-LIMIT game! The table stakes are getting higher!

Right now JC could easily be playing the scare card!