You rant at a press conference that you're worth the millions as the highest-paid employee in a bankrupt state, cold to the fact that everyone around you is in a panic about losing a job or sending a kid to college. The governor says you've embarrassed yourself, and you look so foolish that you become an instant YouTube cult figure.You're accused of dirty recruiting, breaking NCAA rules, making you the star of a week-long news cycle. You're in your late 60s, and stress and health add up so that you're too sick and dehydrated, temporarily, to coach your team.
The gods gave Jim Calhoun a glorious exit opportunity when Connecticut reached the Final Four. With his name crashing down around him, he could have left to cheers.
Instead, he announced Thursday that he plans to come back next season.
"In many ways," Calhoun said in a statement, "the journey of this past season has made me realize how much I love coaching this game, how much I love my kids and how much I enjoy being at Connecticut."
It's important to know when to leave. In one Seinfeld episode, George Costanza made habit of leaving the second he told a joke that people laughed at.
Leave on a good note. But it was a particularly grand opportunity for Calhoun, whose name is now turning to mush. Next season, he and his team likely will be under the cloud of NCAA investigation into his recruiting of former player Nate Miles. Calhoun has already admitted that he might have made mistakes but suggested that the NCAA rulebook has so many rules that it's hard to keep up.
The ignorance defense from a coach who's about to turn 67.
The thing is, I knew Calhoun wouldn't go. He is just tough and ornery enough that all the issues could add up not to force him out, but instead to give him something to fight against.
You like to leave on your own terms and he certainly didn't deserve to be fired, not until more evidence comes in, anyway. But this was his best chance at a narrow escape, and a glorious one at that. But if Calhoun is staying to be obstinate, then someone should have advised him that it's not going to end well. That's assuming he would have listened.
In some ways, you respect a guy who wants to stand and fight, rather than slink off. But as long as he's coaching, he stays in the spotlight, and so do all of his players, his school, his team's fans. While in the spotlight, Calhoun's reputation is going to be torn down, and he takes a lot of people down with him.
The timing is the most amazing thing. How often do we see a boxer or a Favre announce retirement immediately after a tough competition? They have worked so hard, and then are just too emotional after losing a fight to imagine doing it all again. When the emotion wears off, the itch comes back.
Calhoun? He said in Detroit during the Final Four a few days ago that he was going to give things a lot more reflection than usual.
Five days after UConn lost, he was done with that, and ready for another fight.
So admire that resolve. It's exactly what has made him a successful coach all these years, with two national titles.
But when it's time to go, it's time to go.
Calhoun has talked about a conversation he had with legendary coach Dean Smith about how you know when it's time. Smith had told him not to make a decision without time away for perspective. North Carolina coach Roy Williams, the day before he won the national championship, said he had had a similar talk with Smith, his mentor, about an exit strategy. Smith told him not to let off-court demands beat him.
"That part of it, I think, ran Coach Smith out of it," Williams said. "He tried to tell me not to let it run me out."
So it's a tough decision, for sure. But Calhoun's future is going to involve a fight to prove he isn't a cheat. Yahoo! Sports first reported that agent Josh Nochimson, a former UConn student manager who the NCAA considers a representative of UConn athletic interests, provided Miles with lodging, transportation meals and representation.
Under NCAA rules, Nochimson was prohibited from even having contact with Miles, but documents showed pages of phone and text messages between the two.
How much did Calhoun know and endorse? Those are the question s he's going to leave with.
He could have left with glory. At best, the gods give you a one-time offer.
Latest College Basketball Images
UCLA basketball coach Ben Howland, left, speaks at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 9, 2009, where freshman guard Jrue Holiday, center, with his father Shawn Holiday, right, announces he will make himself available for the NBA basketball draft, but will not hire an agent so as to maintain his NCAA eligibility. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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With head coach Ben Howland in the background, UCLA freshman guard Jrue Holiday announces he will make himself available for the NBA basketball draft, but will not hire an agent so as to maintain his NCAA eligibility, at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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UCLA freshman guard Jrue Holiday announces he will make himself available for the NBA basketball draft, but will not hire an agent so as to maintain his NCAA eligibility, at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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UCLA freshman guard Jrue Holiday announces he will make himself available for the NBA basketball draft, but will not hire an agent so as to maintain his NCAA eligibility, at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
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Pittsburgh's Shavonte Zellous, right, holds up a Detroit Shock jersey as she poses with WNBA president Donna Orender after Zellous was chosen as the 11th overall pick iick in the WNBA basketball draft Thursday, April 9, 2009 in Secaucus, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
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Connecticut head women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma, left, and player Renee Montgmery listen to the applause of the crowd at Gampel Pavilion at Storrs, Conn., Wednesday, April 8, 2009 during a homecoming celebration for the team. Montgomery holds the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball trophy. Connecticut beat Louisville 76-54 in an NCAA college basketball game on Tuesday in St. Louis to win the title for the first time since 2004. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
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Connecticut's Maya Moore high fives the fans at Gampel Pavilion at Storrs, Conn., Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the end of a homecoming celebration for the UConn women's basketball team. Connecticut beat Louisville 76-54 in an NCAA college basketball game on Tuesday in St. Louis to win the title for the first time since 2004. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
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Connecticut's Renee Montglomery greets her fans at the end of a rally welcoming the UConn women's basketball team home at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Connecticut beat Louisville 76-54 in an NCAA college basketball game on Tuesday in St. Louis to win the title for the first time since 2004. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
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Connecticut's Maya Moore applauds as she addressed the crowd at a homecoming celebration for the UConn women's basketball team at Gampel Pavilion at Storrs, Conn., Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Connecticut beat Louisville 76-54 in an NCAA college basketball game on Tuesday in St. Louis to win the title for the first time since 2004. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
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Connecticut's Maya Moore high fives the fans at Gampel Pavilion at Storrs, Conn., Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at the end of a homecoming celebration for the team. Connecticut beat Louisville 76-54 in an NCAA college basketball game on Tuesday in St. Louis to win the title for the first time since 2004. (AP Photo/Bob Child)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-10-2009 @ 5:32PM
Sam Barnum said...
Who's Greg Crouch?
Reply
4-11-2009 @ 12:29AM
dtenore said...
Clearly, he is just some idiot.
4-10-2009 @ 5:39PM
mjsjr52 said...
Sure, he's taking a risk but the author said a couple of times, he has the guts and resolve. Being under a "cloud" is great for the media, they'll follow it like hyenas to a carcass.
He'll continue to do his best by the team, the School and the state, health permitting.
The lesson here is to try and screen who you let close to the program, like the jock-sniffing student manager turned agent.
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 6:20PM
stonycliff said...
crouch, you're as big an idiot as the fool who asked calhoun about his salary and failed to mention calhoun's huskies made a 6 million dollar profit for the state, calhoun costs the state of ct zip, zero. he gives them money.
you fail to mention in your "article" the commitment calhoun made to his returning players and to the incoming class. he has 4 players coming to uconn who have to commited to him and the chance to play for coach calhoun. i'm sure he feels an obligation to them, his returning players and the school. why retire if you love your players and love to coach them. if mistakes were made and calhoun was aware of them, then let the chips fall where they may.
whatever happens calhoun owes no apologies, he has done many good things and put a lot of kids on the right path to success and brought a great deal of pride to ct.
we all owe him great thanks.
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 9:13PM
writer said...
Gag me...NOT everyone in Connecticut loves Calhoun--including ME! He's greedy, egotistical, misguided and beyond arrogant. HE doesn't bring in $6 mill a year--the FANS do--the ones who buy the tix AND pay Greedy Jim's salary.
Now here come the dirty recruiting revelations. Calhoun should RETIRE NOW.
Unfortunately, he is our state's version of Bobby Knight: an embarrasment with an embarassment of riches. He has an APPALLING graduation rate of 30 percent. That's right : THIRTY PERCENT. He scoops kids up and spits them out, leaving them with no education and has-beens at the age of 21. He's a farce. He's greedy.
And he pales in comparison to Geno Auriemma. Better coach, better person--and ALL his ladies get a degree.
4-10-2009 @ 9:58PM
Larry said...
Right on!
to WRITER:
A reason Uconn has a low graduation rate is so many became college stars and left for the NBA bucks in their junior years (Allen and Marshall to name a couple). The women don't really have that opportunity. Men are generally graduating from college at a lower rate than women these days as well.
It is unfortunate a whole program can be sullied by the actions of an alumni. No evidence has even been suggested that Calhoun knew.
4-11-2009 @ 9:43AM
lleekard said...
This is well said. Couch Calhoun (and Aurimena) bring in lots of revenue for UCONN. Both of these men have EARNED their way into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The media, in Connecticut, love to take things out on CT state employees...and always report the facts wrong!!!
UCONN is probably ecstatic that Jim Calhoun is staying. Personally, I'm glad he is staying.
4-10-2009 @ 7:39PM
jorbam said...
Calhoun has always recruited right under the radar and his recruits really reflect the kind of person he is...an arrogant jerk, who cares little about an individual beyond his ability to dunk a round ball. I'm sure he will plead ignorance of the rules and" I've had a lot of health problems that have fogged up my focus".
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 7:40PM
RACENDIRT said...
What's up, Greg? Connecticut beat your favorite team? Everyone here loves Coach Calhoun. As a matter of fact, Yahoo is apologizing for the mistakes they made in their accusations. Oh, lo and behold. Your article deserves a good flush.
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 8:24PM
Marcos4mets said...
who's couch? i mean, ive been a huskie fan since i started playing ball and im 31... calhoun is 1 of the best coaches that has ever coached.. hes not a hall of famer for nothing. And how many times have you heard him cheating on the ncaa? none... we r all human, and true we make mistakes, but dont think that the huskies are another michigan team!! so to couch, sit on the couch while calhoun gets these kids fpr another run in the ncaa...
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 8:24PM
Susan said...
The author of this article obviously is CLUELESS when it comes to Connecticut basketball or, for that matter, Connecticut. WE LOVE COACH CALHOUN! He is an amazing person who has brought so much to Connecticut and to those he has coached. So many young men who have been mentored by Coach. Leave hom alone. If he left Connecticut the whole state would be in mourning! WE LOVE YOU COACH!!!
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 9:43PM
Susan said...
I love Jim Calhoun. He put Connecticut basketball on the map. His former players respect him and I hope he stays as long as his health allows.
Not all kids can get into Duke, NC or Notre Dame. Calhoun has given his guys a golden opportunity and it is theirs to pursue or squander. I've never heard of Couch. Now I know why!!!
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 10:15PM
aceon8 said...
He should have stayed at Westort high in Massachusetts
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 10:15PM
aceon8 said...
Westport High
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 10:17PM
Murph said...
Jim Calhoun will decide when he retires, and if the people of Ct decide he should go we will let him know in no uncertain terms. We don’t need some fool who cant even do enough background work to tell us or Calhoun when to go. This university owes Jim Calhoun more than it could ever repay. Look past what he has built in the Men’s Program and the SIX plus million dollars in revenue. The mans charitable efforts helped build a Hospital. His work with the boys and girls clubs in Connecticut is legendary Free speaking engagements at high schools across the state. And talking numbers? Enrolment at UConn has gone up FORTY percent in the past decade. The engineering department a whopping 58% and more and more of these grads are staying in CT. building the economy and taking it in new directions. So go on write your pathetic little attempts to make a name for yourself. But next time get off your "couch" and do a little leg work before trying to tell New Englanders what we should do!
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 10:25PM
hl33 said...
couch get a real job you stink at this one calhoun deserves to leave when he wants not when you think its fitting
Reply
4-10-2009 @ 11:29PM
wat101718 said...
Who is this Couch moron? Is he from Connecticut? Has he ever been there? If so, he'd know that--for better or worse--Calhoun is a fighter who'd never let himself get chased off by a lowly sportswriter, much less a blogger. If Couch wants to judge someone, how about looking into the yuppie, silver spoon writers who broke this story? Wetzer, for one, went to Michigan State of all places, and once worked at a casino. And Wojnarowski has been attacking people ever since he worked for a rag called the Bergen Record in Northern NJ. Secretly, they both claim that what UConn is alledged to have done is a common problem in NCAA hoops, but they've declined to say this in his articles, preferring to single out Calhoun for maximum effect. If Couch really wants to do some reporting, he can track these guys down and ask them why they chose to start their NCAA assault on UConn. Might as well. He's got no business judging Calhoun or anyone else.
Reply
4-11-2009 @ 1:04AM
cdalealden said...
Why are all of the A$$ holes in the media attempting to politicize everything? There is also your attempt to prejudge events and prophesy the outcome without any presentation of fact with the expectation that we are drones ready to pickup on your presupposition and run with it. There seems to be a presumption that the public is stupid enough to act on unfounded enferrences as if they're proven fact. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, you people are worse than used toilet paper!
Reply
4-11-2009 @ 2:25AM
bongojax said...
Yes,$6 mill is from the fans...but if you have a losing program you couldn't give the tickets away...look around the country for proof of that.....
Reply
4-11-2009 @ 2:35AM
David S. said...
Who cares about this self-centered, self-absorbed glory hound? I don't care that good college coaches are paid big money, as that is what the market demands and schools are footing the bill. But humility goes a long way...obviously this fool has no idea of the way average folks are suffering. Just another loudmouth a-hole braggart.....a dime a dozen in sports, especially college level...
Reply