Jim Calhoun Calls It Quits After 26 Seasons

Jim Calhoun held a press conference today at noon. This is usually a normal occurrence for the decorated basketball coach this time of year. But today's meeting wasn't to talk about how practices are going, or how the new recruits are doing. Jim Calhoun decided today would be the day to put an end to a hall of fame coaching career. After winning another men's basketball national title in 2011, many thought that Calhoun's Huskies were primed to make several more runs at the title before his days were done.

Jim Calhoun- UConn Men's Basketball Head Coach

Calhoun is a three time NCAA men's basketball champion, winning titles in 1999, 2004 and 2011. He was a mentor to many young men that played for him. He sent more than two dozen players to the National Basketball Association during his tenure at the University of Connecticut. Most notably, the NBA champion shooting guard Richard "Rip" Hamilton, who helped win the 1999 NCAA title with Calhoun.

The story that seems to be the most compelling today, when others are reporting of his retirement, is how Calhoun built the program at UConn from scratch. At the time that he was hired in 1986, the basketball program was respectable, but had only been to the playoffs a few times. Calhoun quickly made an impact by winning the NIT tournament the following season. In 1990, his Huskies won their first Big East title and boasted one of the countries best records. Throughout the rest of the decade they went on to win a total of five Big East titles and had several number seeds in the national tournament. The 1999 season proved to be his year. Under his brilliant coaching the UConn men won their first national title. Many people praised Calhoun over the course of his career for making UConn a national powerhouse in college basketball. He finishes his career today with an astonishing 873 wins.

The school has suffered a few sanctions under Calhoun in recent years for academic violations. Calhoun said that he wanted to stay through the penalties rather than have another coach have to serve for his mistakes. But at age 70, his health is not such that he feels he can continue with his coaching duties. He battled cancer a few years ago, and things are looking good for him. This summer Calhoun broke his hip and has been on crutches since.

He will be remembered for what he did off the court as much as he will be remembered for his coaching achievements. Calhoun has helped raise millions of dollars for local charities and has been a mentor to many young people. I hope the best for his replacement, but those shoes will be very hard to fill.