Jim Calhoun is calling it a career.
The 70-year-old UConn basketball coach will announce his retirement Thursday at a 2 p.m. press conference.
“He’s retiring [Thursday],” a source with direct knowledge told SNY.tv.
UConn assistant Kevin Ollie is expected to take over as head coach, and the source said he was Calhoun’s preferred choice. Ollie played for Calhoun at UConn from 1991-95 and ranks third all-time in assists.
“I think in a perfect world he wanted to walk and have Kevin step into a good situation,” the source said of Calhoun.
Calhoun has had several health issues over the years, including various bouts with cancer and a recent bicycle accident in which he suffered a broken hip.
He has two years left on his contract and told SNY.tv at the Peach Jam in July that he expected to fulfill his contract.
Calhoun is one of only five coaches with three or more NCAA Championships, having led the Huskies to the title in 1999, 2004 and 2011. Over a 40-year-career, including 26 at UConn, Calhoun won 873 games, sixth all-time.
The Huskies are banned from the postseason this year due to APR-related issues.
They recently landed verbal committments from New York-area players Kentan Facey, a forward from Long Island Lutheran and Terrence Samuel, a shooting guard from Brooklyn South Shore.
Asked if this changes anything for Facey, Long Island Lutheran coach John Buck said: “No. Kentan loves UConn and has an excellent relationship with Kevin Ollie.”
fearthephog25 / September 12, 2012
Ollie is only temporary until they bring in a young coach with upside. Shaka Smart, Sean Miller, Brad Stevens. Miller wants to be closer to family on the east coast.
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UofA BJ / September 12, 2012
Lol u know nothing about nothing. Ollie has been coach in waiting 4 a while now. It’s funny I said this a couple hours ago.
Goodluck 2 UConn it is going to take awhile 2 get back 2 the top.
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fearthephog25 / September 12, 2012
LOL Will you still be in Denial when he (miller) bolts zona? And what does a zona cat know about what it takes to get back on top? LMAO You have to get there first…
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BostonCat / September 12, 2012
hope his health is ok.
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UofA BJ / September 12, 2012
97-01 Arizona was top team in country during that span.
1 NC, 1 NRU,2 FF, 4 elite 8. Does that qualify as at the top?
Does winning a NC qualify as at the top? Being no 1? Please explain.
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GasCan / September 12, 2012
This will be like Guthridge replacing Smith at UNC. It’s not impossible to replace a legend in coaching, but it’s close.
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UofA BJ / September 12, 2012
Why would miller leave zona?
When rondae Jefferson commits tomorrow night will miller tell him u better not I’m leaving? Why would he leave when he is basically getting who he targets? You notice anytime kids come out to Tucson they end up committing? Crazy but maybe living and going 2 school in Tucson is becoming the place 2 be.
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JonHuskyMS / September 12, 2012
Enough with the Zona stuff for at least one thread brother. Sad to see JC leave, the man is a legend in college hoops. We’ll see how Ollie does – been solid with the recruits thus far but he’s on the big stage now
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UofA BJ / September 12, 2012
Sorry Jonhusky, tough day for the program, last thing you want to read is someone spewing bunch of bs about coaching search that isn’t happening.
Great career 4 Calhoun, the three NC speak for themselves.
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