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On the eve of Jim Calhoun’s retirement, UConn braces for an uncertain future
Whether it was prostate cancer, NCAA allegations or merely a more talented basketball team than his own, Jim Calhoun never backed down from any fight no matter how high the odds were stacked against him.
In recent years, however, the legendary UConn coach finally encountered one opponent even he could not overcome: Age.
Calhoun reportedly will announce his retirement on Thursday, his 70-year-old body too achy and sore to coach another season after suffering a fractured left hip in an offseason bike accident and missing a month of last season due to an ailing back. He leaves behind a complicated legacy rife with historic victories and occasional controversies.
In 26 seasons at UConn, Calhoun won seven Big East tournament titles, made four Final Fours and captured three national championships. Connecticut was a basketball lightweight prior to Calhoun's arrival in 1986, but the fiery Massachusetts native built the Huskies into perennial Big East contenders for more than two decades.
Some of Calhoun's success was tainted a bit by the revelation he and his staff used a former team manager turned agent to help recruit Nate Miles. Calhoun fought bitterly to prove his innocence and keep his reputation untarnished but the NCAA suspended him for three games last season and ruled that he failed to create an atmosphere of compliance.
In recent years, however, the legendary UConn coach finally encountered one opponent even he could not overcome: Age.
Calhoun reportedly will announce his retirement on Thursday, his 70-year-old body too achy and sore to coach another season after suffering a fractured left hip in an offseason bike accident and missing a month of last season due to an ailing back. He leaves behind a complicated legacy rife with historic victories and occasional controversies.
In 26 seasons at UConn, Calhoun won seven Big East tournament titles, made four Final Fours and captured three national championships. Connecticut was a basketball lightweight prior to Calhoun's arrival in 1986, but the fiery Massachusetts native built the Huskies into perennial Big East contenders for more than two decades.
Some of Calhoun's success was tainted a bit by the revelation he and his staff used a former team manager turned agent to help recruit Nate Miles. Calhoun fought bitterly to prove his innocence and keep his reputation untarnished but the NCAA suspended him for three games last season and ruled that he failed to create an atmosphere of compliance.