Jim Calhoun Needs to Go

The sleigh ride is over Connecticut.

The clock is about to strike midnight on the national prominence of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team.

Even if Jim Calhoun survives these current allegations of recruiting violations, his health and age indicate that his retirement is near. In college basketball, it’s all about the coach. Kentucky was once a perennial basketball power. It was considered on the level of UNC and UCLA as a historical basketball power. This year Kentucky was not even a bubble team for the NCAA tournament. Kentucky’s former coach, Rick Pitino, is now at Louisville. Is it a coincidence that Louisville is the Big East champ, a number one seed, and one of the favorites to win the whole tournament? It’s all about the coach.
John Calipari was once the coach at UMass. During those years, UMass went to the final four of the NCAA tournament. Since John Calipari left for Memphis, UMass has barely scratched the surface of the NCAA tournament. Meanwhile, Memphis made it to the NCAA title game last year, and is a strong number two seed in the tournament this year. It’s all about the coach.

Jim Calhoun’s time with UConn is drawing to a close. Even if these recruiting violation allegations end up proving unfounded (which I have my doubt will happen at this point), Jim Calhoun should have known better. Jim was already a hall-of-fame coach before Nate Miles. We’re not talking about a player with the skills of Michael Jordan here. Why a hall-of-fame coach would subject himself to even the smallest amount of risk for a player the caliber of Miles is beyond comprehension. Calhoun did not need Miles. Calhoun did not need any player at this point in his career. He was above all of this. Regardless of the recruiting violations, why did Calhoun let a questionable character like Josh Nochimson hang around the program? Again, a 67-year-old hall-of-fame coach should have known better.

Besides these alleged recruiting violations, Jim Calhoun has had his rocky moments at UConn. Most recently he made national news for going on a tirade at a press conference when a reported asked him about his salary. This was one of many examples of Calhoun losing his temper. Then there are all the questionable kids Calhoun has recruited over the years resulting in several run-ins with the law (laptop, anyone?).

Regardless of the outcome of this most recent mess, Jim Calhoun’s time is drawing to a close. The party is likely over for Connecticut. Unless UConn is extremely fortunate, Jim Calhoun’s successor will be hard pressed to match the basketball success UConn has enjoyed during the Jim Calhoun era. With no pro-teams, UConn basketball is one of the few bright spots to get the state though cold winters. Remember, Connecticut is one of the few states that have actually lost population over the last few years. Let’s face it, unless you’re a wealthy Manhattan business person, it’s not a great place to try to build a life. Property is high. Taxes are high. The general cost of living is high. The weather is poor. The list goes on. UConn athletics has been one bright spot, and one of the best ambassadors for the state. Jim Calhoun was a major factor in building up UConn athletics. However, as much as Calhoun does not like to admit it, he did not do it alone. He had the support of the University, a staff, other programs (i.e. Geno and the women’s team), but more importantly, he had the support of the people of Connecticut. Hopefully, as his time at the helm of the most important team at the flagship university comes to a close, Jim Calhoun does not tear down much of what he helped to build up.