Calhoun Leaving USJ With 'Different' Sense Of Accomplishment

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Jim Calhoun looked like a relaxed "retired" basketball coach Friday as he met with members of the media to elaborate on an announcement the previous day that he was stepping down from the helm of the University of St. Joseph men's program.

OK, maybe retired is not the right word — even in quotation marks — because, in Calhoun's own words, he's never really finished and always finds some reason "to put the gloves on and go 12 rounds."

But there was sense of mission accomplished in his words, in the almost constant smile he displayed at a lengthy virtual news conference. He was quick to insist that he did what he set out to do at USJ and that the program is in good hands with longtime coaching teammate Glenn Miller in charge now. He was also quick to insist that he and his wife, Pat, will be spending some time at their place in Hilton Head, SC.

Calhoun announced his decision to step down Thursday. In three-plus seasons at USJ, Calhoun compiled a record of 47-17 (.734), leading the Blue Jays to the 2020 Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament in just the team's second-ever season.

In 44 seasons as a head coach, Calhoun boasts a career record of 920-397 (.699) and ranks third all-time in career wins among head coaches with a minimum of 10 years at the NCAA Division I level.

He's a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Calhoun also was quick to insist that the Friday Zoom call was not a goodbye. He'll be around, he said, with a little St. Joe's, perhaps a little University of Connecticut and even a little Nutmeg State in general.

"Simply put, timing in life is very important," Calhoun said, adding that St. Joe's as a program and a school is "in good shape."

He continued, "I know people might be concerned about my health, but I feel good. Pat feels good. I've had an incredible time at St. Joes, so there is sadness. But it's a diff kind of sadness, because the campus and the basketball team are in good shape. So thought it was a good time. It wasn't a good time during the pandemic because we wanted to make sure the kids came back to get their education.

"Now, with Glenn Miller (and the staff) here, it's a good time to leave. Things will be seamless. I am not cutting ties with St. Joe's in any way but we are going to take some time — Pat and I."

One reason for drawing Calhoun to St. Joe's was "to get noticed" as the school was admitting male students for the first time, USJ President Rhona Free said. And a big splash was made with five-year enrollment figures being met after a year, she said. Free said she'll be glad to have Calhoun stay around "as an adviser," something she already considered him.

Calhoun said the impact can be traced to the newer physical appearance at St. Joe's and the publicity drawing students to the school who may not have ever considered it.

And he was quick to add that his number is available for St. Joe's players just as much as the former UConn greats.

"I talked to Ben Gordon and Rip (Hamilton) recently. I will do the same with the kids from St. Joe's," Calhoun said. "And they will be different conversations. Kemba Walker is busy with the New York Knicks making millions of dollars, but these kids — and I call them all kids — will be busy deciding on their classes, undergraduate degrees, master's degrees and careers.

"Things Change. At Northeastern, we moved up. At UConn we started out as an 8-9 game team (in the NCAA tournament) and that changed. Things have changed at St. Joe's, too, and it's a great culture. To be part of it is special."

So ... what's next? Calhoun just smiled when asked the inevitable question.

"I'll find a fight," he said. "I'll put the gloves on and find a 12-rounder."

With UConn, Calhoun said he'd never walk away from a 30-year association and he mentioned there are "still lot of charities" he can work with. Then he would welcome an advisory role at St. Joe's.

"The bonds you make through athletics and universities are are special," he said. "It's payback. A lot people helped me when I needed it most and I want to do the same thing."