UConn coach Jim Calhoun will take an indefinite medical leave of absence, effective immediately, to deal with worsening spinal stenosis, a lower back condition that causes him severe pain and hampers mobility, the school announced Friday.
Calhoun, a Hall of Famer who turns 70 in May, will not coach Saturday’s game against Seton Hall nor Monday’s game at Louisville and his condition will be evaluated on a daily basis as options for treatment are explored. Associate head coach George Blaney will be in charge of the team in Calhoun’s absence.
It is Calhoun’s second medical leave in two years and third since 2003. He also missed three games earlier this year because of NCAA sanctions.
According to Dr. Peter Schulman of the UConn Health Center, Calhoun’s primary health care physician, stenosis is a condition that the UConn coach has been coping with for the last few months.
“Last summer, Jim had some significant back pain and has seen two excellent back specialists,” Schulman said. “The initial approach recommended to him was stretching, physical therapy and exercise, and that was successful for several months. It turns out that there is some degenerative problem in the lumbar vertebrae and it’s impinging on the nerves. It has led to significant back pain and some symptoms in his lower extremities.
“Jim has been able to manage it with the physical therapy and stretching, but over the last several days, things have become worse and he is not able to deal with this on a day to day basis, so other options need to be considered. Right now, he is physically unable to coach.”
The Huskies (14-7, 4-5) have lost four straight entering the Seton Hall game and are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament after winning it all last year.
UofA BJ / February 3, 2012
Calhoun on medical leave, what a shocker.
How is UConn so bad all the sudden, bc they have a ton of talent?
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blenheimbard / February 3, 2012
As a UK fan I bear a certain dislike for UConn, but unlike the “BJ” above it does not extend to wishing illness on an opponent, or making fun of one in their time of distress.Boo to you UofA BJ, how embarrassing it must be to a U of A fan and read your comments.
Best wishes to Jim Calhoun for a speedy recovery and seeing him back at courtside, where we can then extract our revenge.
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UofA BJ / February 3, 2012
Ok what did I say that was so bad?
Didn’t wish harm on Calhoun , I basically said I am not surprised he is on another medical leave. The guy is 70 has Had cancer multiple times and this is at least his 4 th medical leave in 5 years. I mean damn I knew u Kentucky people were dumb, but I didn’t know u couldn’t read.
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mikemiller13 / February 4, 2012
the west is rising bear down! hahaha!
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UofA BJ / February 4, 2012
Kansas is in the same category as Arizona, not good enough to win it all.
But I’m sure u think KU is so good this year, and don’t get me wrong they are having a great year, but they aren’t good enough to win it all.
Didn’t see any jayhawks in the Jordan game list 🙁 but bill and Danny will coach em up.
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kungpaochicken / February 5, 2012
“Didn’t see any jayhawks in the Jordan game list but bill and Danny will coach em up.”
You Az trolls are back to this ish again? A lot of help Turner, Johnson, and Chol are. Are they less talented than expected or can Miller not coach? Either way, not a good sign for the program formerly known as Point Guard U.
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mikemiller13 / February 5, 2012
U your knowledge is comical….so everyone saw vcu, butler, uk, and uconn as title contenders last year and good enough to win it all?? get a clue! and again, appearently your belief in “it’s all about recruiting” will never change. so how’s all that talent at ua this year working out? kansas has 1 top 100 kid this year……recruiting at kansas is just fine in my opinion if you look at who has the most win’s the last 10 years. calm down and keep to your second tier program
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mikemiller13 / February 5, 2012
send me your filled out NIT bracket when it’s completed U. I’m sure you’ll have ua winning it all. kansas will keep the streak of most current consecutive tourney appearences going. rock chalk
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UofA BJ / February 5, 2012
Who’s going to nit?
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kungpaochicken / February 5, 2012
“Who’s going to nit?”
All teams (minus one) in the PAC that are lucky enough to get an invite.
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mikemiller13 / February 5, 2012
well U i’ll let you figure out who’s going to the NIT. I think kung gave a clue. there’s always the CBI too if the NIT doesn’t come calling
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