Reports: UConn Coach Calhoun to retire

Posted on Sep 13, 2012 in Sports | 0 comments

University of Connecticut men’s basketball Coach Jim Calhoun, who led the school to three national titles, is set to retire, ESPN reported Wednesday.

ESPN said its sources confirmed Calhoun would step down at a Thursday news conference.

Assistant coach Kevin Ollie has been tapped to replace him at the Huskies’ helm, the report indicated.

NBC Connecticut quoted a source saying the move is all but done and is a matter of Calhoun and his agent “dotting the ‘i’s’ and crossing the ‘t’s',” with a second source indicating the legendary coach wants to meet with his players in person before any announcement is made.

Calhoun, 70, retires after 26 seasons of guiding the Huskies with two years left on his contract.

The move comes after UConn was ruled ineligible for the 2013 NCAA tournament due to poor academic scores, and a month after Calhoun fractured a hip during a bicycle ride.

A cancer survivor, Calhoun also underwent surgery last season to alleviate nerve pain caused by a chipped bone in his back, ESPN noted.

Copyright 2012 by United Press International