The Next Coach

[CTFIRERETIRED]

With the annual Calhoun departure, are we seeing the end of the line here? Coach Calhoun's health is now becoming a major issue. He is 69, 3 time Cancer survivor, now this problem with the spine. I know there is a hope that he returns, but how is this effecting the recruiting process? Right now there are 3 in house candidates, and who knows how many out of house candidates. My thinking is the pick will be from within the system. Throw out Howie [Dickenman] CENTRAL, and Tom [Moore]. The smart money is on the 3 assistants on the bench right now, with the "favorite"
being Kevin Ollie........................at least, if I was betting, that is who I would put my money on.

 

[willie99]

Jim Calhoun is coming back, he's not ready to quit

 

[CBallfan]

Jim Calhoun is coming back, he's not ready to quit

Agreed
Why is this even a topic of discussion?

 

[campcalhoun2009]

Ollie is 100% the next coach, I don't think anyone else would even be considered

 

[RuffRuff]

I think the university would be short sited not to at least take a look at the external market - I mean, JC might come back but at 70 with a consistent run of varying health issues, the guy can't have much left in the tank and really has to be thinking about moving on, for his own sake. Ollie is a nice story, but I've moved to the camp whereas I think it's going to be hard to throw a guy in there with limited assisting and no head coaching. He seems raw as well. The brand has built up to the level whereas it deserves the best option. A rookie coach and few bad years with the BE falling apart and it could take a while to repair.

 

[UChusky916]

Bad mojo here. Calhoun could be back in a few weeks if he we get lucky and his condition improves...

 

[The Boatyard]

Jim Calhoun is coming back, he's not ready to quit

Even if he comes back in time for the tourney, he'll retire at the end of the season. The only reason he didn't retire after last year's championship was because he felt obligated to serve his suspension.

 

[auggie22]

i thought ollie was a shoe-in until the season started. that he did not fill-in as head coach for any of the 4 games calhoun missed tells the story. the next coach will come from outside of the program.

 

[Huskybass]

Ollie is 100% the next coach, I don't think anyone else would even be considered

I honestly don't think Ollie has a very good chance of being the successor to JC when JC decides it is time to retire. Ollie only has 1 1/2 years of experience as an Assistant Coach and he doesn't interview (with the media) very well, and I think that will hurt his chances. I know he would bring fire and passion to the position and he would stress defense and taking care of the ball. However, I believe he hurts himself by not sounding as articulate as he could. Unfortunately, perception is sometimes as important if not more important than reality, and Ollie doesn't help his chances when he speaks publicly. His sentiments are great, but the way he delivers them lacks polish.

I would guess that the next head coach comes from outside of the program and will bring a pretty solid head coaching resume.

 

[tykurez]

i thought ollie was a shoe-in until the season started. that he did not fill-in as head coach for any of the 4 games calhoun missed tells the story. the next coach will come from outside of the program.

It didn't / doesn't make sense for Ollie to fill in at this point, imo ... in fact, I think it would be lose-lose.

The sample size during the suspension would have been too small to make a determination. If he did well, it would have been against (perceivably) inferior opponents. If the team loses, it could all but rule him out as a successor ... perhaps prematurely.

In addition to serving his suspension, I truly believe Calhoun wanted to see out his contract and groom Ollie to perhaps be next in line. That's in an ideal world ... and obviously that may change now given the health issues.

 

[tykurez]

I honestly don't think Ollie has a very good chance of being the successor to JC when JC decides it is time to retire. Ollie only has 1 1/2 years of experience as an Assistant Coach and he doesn't interview (with the media) very well, and I think that will hurt his chances. I know he would bring fire and passion to the position and he would stress defense and taking care of the ball. However, I believe he hurts himself by not sounding as articulate as he could. Unfortunately, perception is sometimes as important if not more important than reality, and Ollie doesn't help his chances when he speaks publicly. His sentiments are great, but the way her delivers them lacks polish.

His interviewing skills shouldn't be that high up on the priority list. Yes, it will be considered and yes, it does bear some importance ... but from most reports, a lot of people believe Kevin Ollie has what it takes (and that includes people outside the program.)

That's not to say that other considerations aren't going to be made. If a high profile coach expresses interest, and it's what the university (and ultimately, I would assume, Calhoun) would want, then I'm sure that would be strongly considered.

But to dismiss Ollie based off of interview skills would be bogus.

 

[husky99]

.This may not be popular, but ollie has zero head coach experience except some aau summer stuff. Nba experience does not = a good coach. Magic and MJ both tried coaching and it went bad. Some it works for some former nba players, but I think we need a national search.

 

[The Boatyard]

Brad Stevens!!!

 

[Huskybass]

His interviewing skills shouldn't be that high up on the priority list. Yes, it will be considered and yes, it does bear some importance ... but from most reports, a lot of people believe Kevin Ollie has what it takes (and that includes people outside the program.)

That's not to say that other considerations aren't going to be made. If a high profile coach expresses interest, and it's what the university (and ultimately, I would assume, Calhoun) would want, then I'm sure that would be strongly considered.

But to dismiss Ollie based off of interview skills would be bogus.

I'm not saying that it is right, or that I agree with it, but that it could very well be a factor that works against him. Personally, if he can relate well to recruits and their families, as well as the players and instill a strong work ethic, thats what I would be looking for. But as I said, perception sometimes plays a larger role that it should.

Also, given UConn's history as a prominent program for 20 plus years, I doubt there will be a shortage of highly qualified candidates, many of who have impressive head coaching credentials.

 

[auggie22]

It didn't / doesn't make sense for Ollie to fill in at this point, imo ... in fact, I think it would be lose-lose.

The sample size during the suspension would have been too small to make a determination. If he did well, it would have been against (perceivably) inferior opponents. If the team loses, it could all but rule him out as a successor ... perhaps prematurely.

In addition to serving his suspension, I truly believe Calhoun wanted to see out his contract and groom Ollie to perhaps be next in line. That's in an ideal world ... and obviously that may change now given the health issues.

that does make some sense; but on the other hand, if he wins against inferior opponents he has 4 - 0 on his resume, and makes the hire an easier sell to the fans who see him as inexperienced. and by not having him coach you immediately raise the question that the right people do not believe he is ready.

 

[willie99]

Even if he comes back in time for the tourney, he'll retire at the end of the season. The only reason he didn't retire after last year's championship was because he felt obligated to serve his suspension.

I don't think so, I think he still has that passion and he still wants to coach

and he's staying until he's certain his baby is in good hands

 

[The Boatyard]

I don't think so, I think he still has that passion and he still wants to coach

and he's staying until he's certain his baby is in good hands

He said last month that he felt obligated to serve the suspension...that it was a "major major factor" in coming back for the 2011-2012 season. He's done.

 

[FluxTZ]

I haven't read everyone's replies yet but I would love to see Sean Miller step into the role. I'm a fan of Ollie too but really think Miller would be great.

 

[willie99]

He said last month that he felt obligated to serve the suspension...that it was a "major major factor" in coming back for the 2011-2012 season. He's done.

"he's done", LOL

we'll see

 

[EricLA]

Agreed
Why is this even a topic of discussion?

because it's going to happen someday. people who don't want to discuss it can just skip the post. Calhoun has had more medical issues than any active coach in MCBB. and it's a message board. fans know his time is limited so they want to discuss it...

 

[Tenspro2002]

I want to see Ollie take over when Calhoun's contract expires in 2014, even if it requires Blaney to serve as an "acting" head coach while JC recuperates.

Ollie isn't ready at this point, but I think two more years of experience will be critical.

None of our other former players or coaches have demonstrated any kind of success as a head coach. Then again, neither has Ollie, but I'd rather go with someone who might be able to get it done at a high level.

 

[tzznandrew]

I think it would be great if we could get someone like Stevens and keep the current infra-structure. I doubt that would happen.

In all likelihood, it's going to be Ollie. I like him, he can recruit, and I think he will be successful (a vague term, though, no?)

If it will be him, I hope it is later rather than sooner (I guess regardless, I don't really want JC to ever retire).

 

[dogpause]

I don't think we can hire an AD and not let him/her pick the next coach. Also, I don't think we can afford to make a bad hire or this program can lapse back into obscurity, especially with the BE losing some of its luster.

We have enough suction now to get a proven coach. Picking from the tree may work, but it's high risk. Also, JC has always recruited quiet, coachable players, not personalities similar to his. The same applies to his assistants. Calhoun's system works only because of him, it's not transferable, IMO.

 

[Ts5034]

Kevin Ollie will be the next coach, not even a debate. If by chance its somebody from the outside i dont think it will be too big of a name. And by the way Stevens is not coming here either

 

[Tenspro2002]

Also, I don't think we can afford to make a bad hire or this program can lapse back into obscurity, especially with the BE losing some of its luster.

This is my concern as well -- that without Calhoun, we won't continue to be a top-10 program (which we've been spoiled to be for the last 15-20 years), but will slip into that tier of 20-30 teams underneath (think schools like Texas, Illinois, Washington) who make the tournament most of the time, but are only true contenders maybe once a decade.