I was shocked to hear that Jim Calhoun will be retiring Thursday from the game of college basketball. Health problems through the last decade have dogged him, causing him to miss 27 games. This wasn't going to be the greatest season for the Huskies, nor the most meaningful, but it was important in their growth as a team. Calhoun won three national titles (1999, 2004, 2011) while at Connecticut. 873 wins in 40 seasons (625 at UConn), and four Final 4 appearances. He is the sixth winningest coach in D-1 history, and fourth in NCAA Tournament wins (49).He is in the Hall of Fame.
What does this mean for the Huskies?: Kevin Ollie will take over as head coach. He played from 1991-1995 for Calhoun at UConn, and has been the assistant coach for the last two seasons. He played in the NBA for 13 seasons, he is a basketball player, he has the knowledge and charisma to coach, and now basketball head coach at a name university. It's unclear what George Blaney's role with the team will be now with Calhoun gone, we will have to wait and see (he is staying with the team though). The season is now in full rebuilding mode. Husky fans shouldn't expect much to begin with, and should expect possibly less. I'm not saying the Huskies can't have a winning record, it just got tougher.
Calhoun wasn't ever the most liked coach, nor the best at being humble when in defeat, but sometimes you want that in your coach. You don't want a guy who is okay with losing, you want a coach that is passionate, energized, and above all else, a winner. Coach Calhoun is a winner, and one of the best.
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