Saying goodbye to Jim Calhoun

We should have said goodbye to Jim Calhoun in 2011.  He was immersed in scandal that season because of too many phone calls to a recruit and there were articles written about him criticizing how much much he was making. He had a health scare that year and when Kimba Walker led Connecticut to 11 straight victories including the title over Butler, Calhoun should have said "screw you" to the NCAA, the local Connecticut media,and all of his critics.  He has done it hs way. Period.  He is a no nonsense tough guy from Boston and never cheated his players, coaches, fans, or university.  There several coaches in this country who make more money than their mayors, governors, senators, teachers, policemen, firemen, in their cities.  No one complains until the coach has a few losing seasons or until the press sees that person as someone who thinks he or she is bigger than the university.  The press does not talk about money's these coaches donate to fund necessary projects for the schools. The press does not talk about the fundraising efforts done by coaches to raise money for schools. That apparently is not news. The press also does not talk about because of the success of a particular team the amount of revenue generated because of what they did on the field or court.  Notre Dame football makes so much money as an independent team that it refuses to join conferences for football. Bob Stoops, Nick Saban, Coach K., John Calipari, Les Miles, Pat Summit, makes more money than their local and state goverment officials and no one complains abut them.  Joe Paterno did as well and the scandal that rocked his school is blamed on the fact that football has too much power and clout. 
Coach Calhoun built Connecticut into a nationally respected and destination oriented university.  No one ever heard of Connecticut basketball before he arrived.  He brought in players fromall over the world and country to play basketball at Uconn. Remember Nadav Henefield? He came from Israel to play for him.  He has had Ray Allen, Richard Hamilton, Tate George, Chris Smith, Emeka Okafor, Kimba Walker, Donnie and Donyell Marshall.  He has won 3 titles. He has 4 final four appearances.  He beat Duke in an epic title tilt. His critics will say that he leaves Connecticut in scandal because of the fact that Uconn will not be allowed to compete in this years tournament.  The apr requirement is going to hurt many schools because kids stop going to class after the season especially if they are going pro. His critics say that he was a difficult interview, often surly, and became bigger than the program. I find that notion hilarious because it seems that all the media wants to talk to or about are the coaching stars.  We know more about the coaches in college than we do the players unless the players are troublesome. Jim Calhoun's success allowed for Gino Auriema to succeed in the women's game.  The amount of money given to the athletic programs because of the success of the men's team open doors for all sports to grow and become division 1 quality.  The school is building a cardiac center in his and his wife Pat's honor.
Big east basketball is dying. In the next few years the Big east is going to lose Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and West Virginia. Losing a coaching giant like Calhoun is going to affect the quality of basketball from this conference too. Will recruits want to play in Storrs, Ct? Kevin Ollie is getting rave reviews as a person and as an assisstant coach. Can he be the one to lead UConn into the next decade and beyond? I hope so. Coach Calhoun has left a huge void but the Nutmeg State will move on. Coach Calhoun deserves a court or statue at the school. His achievements and contributions to the University of Connecticut will never be replicated..