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No Head Coach in Waiting for UCONN

Postby Digetydog » Tue May 08, 2012 6:59 am

The UConn ship continues to sink.

http://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-men ... 4419.story

Calhoun OK With Manuel's Decision On Coach-In-Waiting

No Surprise: Athletic Director Nixes That Suggestion


By DOM AMORE, damore@courant.com

The Hartford Courant

6:59 PM EDT, May 7, 2012

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UConn athletic director Warde Manuel told the Associated Press on Monday that he has no plans to name a designated successor for basketball coach Jim Calhoun.

And, although it's no secret that Calhoun would have liked that to happen, the coach told The Courant that it does not affect his status. He is on the job.

"I'm doing everything I normally do every spring," Calhoun said, "I have two years left on my contract. Warde and I have been having discussions about a lot of things, including the future of UConn basketball. He's the athletic director, and we're working together."

Calhoun said on April 4 that although he advocated a coach-in-waiting, assistant Kevin Ollie being the obvious choice, it would not be a "deal-breaker" if it did not happen. Although there has been some speculation in the past couple of weeks, Calhoun, who has completed 26 seasons and won three national titles, maintained that he is the coach for the foreseeable future. He turns 70 on Thursday.

The idea of a coach-in-waiting has been floating around UConn for quite some time, and it picked up traction when Calhoun missed eight games in February because of a spinal condition that eventually required surgery. Manuel and Calhoun have been having discussions since the end of the season, and school sources said early on that Manuel was not interested in a coach-in-waiting.

"We both want to see that the program stays in good hands," Calhoun said. "And we've talked about various things."

One worry has been the effect on recruiting — that it would be more difficult to get high-level recruits if they did not know who would be coaching in the long term. But UConn did get an oral commitment from 6-10 forward Phillip Nolan, considered a top 100 prospect, last week, an indication that the program still has appeal. The coaches hope to land another frontcourt player soon.

"I don't think it has hurt our recruiting," Calhoun said.

With Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb leaving for the NBA draft, Alex Oriakhi and Michael Bradley transferring and Roscoe Smith getting his release, UConn was down to eight scholarship players and, barring an unforeseen change by the NCAA's Committee on Academic Performance, will be ineligible for postseason play in 2012-13. Calhoun has said he does not want to leave the program in "chaos."

Because his contract runs for two more years, Calhoun said he does not feel the need to announce that he is returning next year. He would only make an announcement if he were not returning. Manuel told the AP that he is proceeding on the assumption that Calhoun will be coaching next year.

Ollie, a one-time UConn guard who had a long NBA career, just completed his second season as an assistant under the Huskies' Hall of Fame coach.
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Re: No Head Coach in Waiting for UCONN

Postby ClickClack » Tue May 08, 2012 8:14 am

How does this article that talks about Uconn not wanting to have a head coach in waiting mean "uconn's ship contiues to sink"?
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Re: No Head Coach in Waiting for UCONN

Postby Digetydog » Tue May 08, 2012 10:58 am

ClickClack wrote:How does this article that talks about Uconn not wanting to have a head coach in waiting mean "uconn's ship contiues to sink"?


Their coach is old with very well known health problems. Because of apr problems, they can't play in ant post season tourneys next year including the Big East Tourney. Half their team has left because of the sanctions and because of uncertainty over Calhoun's age. They are getting killed in recruiting because most kids know Calhoun won't be there long.

The idea behind a hciw was to stabilize the program because when Calhoun retires, there is no plan and no confidence the current AD and President can find and hire the right guy. Plus, with state budget problems, they cannot throw money at a hire.

All in, the Uconn program is viewed as a sinking ship held up by Calhoun.
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Re: No Head Coach in Waiting for UCONN

Postby ClickClack » Tue May 08, 2012 12:47 pm

I am aware of all the programs that Uconn basketball currently faces, however not naming a HCIW is not one of them. They have no one on the bench that they feel would be a good choice as a HCIW. Kevin Ollie has only been an assistant for 2 years, Blaney is as old as dirt and Hobbes is not HC material for a program like Uconn. Ollie will be a great HC one day, but he's not ready....

Uconn has to have some money to throw at a new hire, because they pay Calhoun around 2 mil per season.

Also, the only player who transfered because of the post season sanctions was Oriaki...and that is addition by subtraction for Uconn. Roscoe is leaving for a variety of reasons, one being that he wants to play the 3 not the 4 (even though he can't really create for himself off the bounce) and Michael Bradley only is transferring to be near his ill grandmother.

Uconn just got a commit last week from a top 100 2012 kid, so they are still in the recruiting game
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