Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun says he plans to return for a 24th season at the school.
Calhoun hedged when asked about his future after the Huskies lost to Michigan State in the Final Four on Saturday. The loss coupled with frustration over allegations that UConn's program violated NCAA recruiting rules might have taken their toll.
But after giving it some thought, Calhoun has decided to return.
"It is my full intention to return for the 2009-10 season," Calhoun said. "I look forward to coaching next season and to continuing as the head coach at Connecticut into the future. In many ways, 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."
Several off-the-court issues had prompted questions about Calhoun's future, including an investigation into UConn's recruitment of former player Nate Miles. The coach also has been treated for cancer three times during his UConn career, including last summer when he successfully battled skin cancer.
Calhoun has a career record of 805-342 and is No. 6 in NCAA Division I history for career wins. The Huskies have been to the Final Four three times under Calhoun, winning the title in 2004 and 1999.
Courtesy AP through ESPN.com
Not a surprise here. I fully anticipated him to come back for this season. He still has time left in him to coach and as we have seen from Joe Pa and Bobby Bowden even if your old you can still coach. I think they could end up winning it all next year. If they can play the way they did this year they will be the best team in the country with all that UNC will lose and Blake Griffen leaving Oklahoma Uconn might just be the best team in the country.
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He's clearly bitter about not being able to win the championship with this his best team since the days of Ben Gordon, and Emeka Okafor.
There's no doubt that he still wants one more title, and thinks he can get it before hanging it up.
Problem is whether or not his health will let him do that.
No question in my mind that UConn is already planning for his departure and already has a plan B set up if Calhoun is forced to step aside because of health issues.
