Amid (probably true) allegations that UConn broke NCAA recruiting rules with their pursuit of Nate Miles, the Huskies have made the Final Four for the third time in school history out of the West Regionals, winning the title in each of their first two appearances. But the coverage on UConn hasn't focused on the fact that the Huskies have been playing their best ball of the season, it has been all about the recruiting violations and first-round dehydration, fair or not.
As for the dehydration, it's no longer an issue clearly as it didn't slow UConn at all. Calhoun has had a series of health issues over his career, so let's move on to the recruiting allegations.
First of all, just incase you weren't aware, true or not, UConn won't have to forfeit any wins because of said violations. This is because Miles never suited up for UConn as he was kicked out of school before the season started. Not all that surprising considering Miles played for five different schools in his high school career.
It's also no surprise that Calhoun went after a player like him. Incredible talent but a little thug criminal. The only thing is, most of those players have worked out for Calhoun as they've proven that their ill ways were in the past. Just look at players like Caron Butler, Taliek Brown, and AJ Price as examples of kids who have had tough pasts but moved on from them. I could list more, but I'm trying to keep this post on the shorter side...
But Calhoun makes an excellent point in his defense of himself and his program. I haven't nor do I plan on reading the rules and regulations on recruiting NCAA players (that is until Kentucky changes their mind on Callipari and choses to hire me...) but I would believe that they change every season. It is entirely possible that a mistake was made. Now wether it was an honest mistake or an intentional mistake, that is where the investigation comes into play.
I was discussing this with a friend at work and he made an excellent point about all of this. In the world of Blackberrys and iPhones, what's the difference between getting an email and a text? Point of origin? Length? The fact that those who are cheap can't get emails on their phone because their phone cost them $10? (That may or may not be in reference to me spending $10 on my new phone because I don't care about my phone.)
I ask this because there is no limit on the amount of texts an athlete can receive from a coach or program yet there is on emails and calls. Things like this are why the mistake may have been of the honest variety as that seems like a random set of rules from the NCAA, especially since texts have come to dominate modern communication.
I'm not saying it was or wasn't an honest mistake, just that it could be. And besides, I'm sure every school breaks recruiting rules at times, it's just that most of them don't get caught. Everyone cheats to some degree in every sport. The Patriots aren't the only team that tapes other teams signals, they're just the ones that got caught. Why else would every coach and co-ordinator cover their mouth while calling every play?
And do you think college athletes really aren't paid? I've heard stories of athletes getting $5,000 a semester from the school for books. I spent about $3000 over eight semesters through my college career, and I wasn't a communications major. Not to mention all the athletes get "college housing" which probably consists of a plush, huge apartment that's fully furnished and probably 10 times nicer then my apartment.
The same friend I have at work always jokes with me that Calhoun has made such a great program because he pays his players enough. But he just does that to bust my chops because he knows how much of a UConn fan I am. He knows everyone gets paid, he just likes picking on UConn to bust my balls.
Again, Calhoun or another UConn official probably broke some rules. I just am annoyed that for the second year in a row, a team I support is getting attacked while pursuing a championship when allegations could be made at any time. Remember how Randy Moss beat some woman last year and the allegations came out right before the Super Bowl? Remember how they tuned out to be made up? Glad that came out right when it did. Marvin Harrison though, and the possibility that he was involved in a shooting, nah, let's just sweep that under the rug and deal with it after the season. After all, it was just a shooting right?
But because of these allegations, combined with the season UConn has had, I wouldn't be surprised to see Jim Calhoun retire after this season. The man has nothing left to prove in the coaching world. He's already in the Hall of Fame. He has pumped out NBA All Stars, champions, and future HoF'ers. He recorded his 800th win earlier this season (imagine if Miles had played and he had to give back his 800th win). He turned a small, Yankee-conference team into a national power. The man is a god in Connecticut. But most importantly, he has coached two national champions and has a shot as a third. I'd say Calhoun's legacy is secure.
But he has also had his issues. He has yelled and sworn at the press. I mean, you can just look back a couple of months for one example, when Calhoun tells a reporter to "just shut up" when being asked about being the highest paid state employee in Connecticut. Calhoun has also had many health issues over his tenure at UConn including a few bouts with cancer. As I alluded to earlier, he missed the first round of the NCAA's this year while being in the hospital because of dehydration. Calhoun may be the model of coaching, but not so much in the health department.
So how surprising would it be to see Calhoun retire after this season? His contract has a couple years left on it, but with everything swirling around him, how nice would it be for him to go out on top? In talking with my dad and college room mate, both die-hard UConn fans, they both see it happening if UConn wins it all, and maybe even if they don't. I'm not 100% sure on it, mainly because of how competitive Calhoun is, but I sure wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.
Only time will tell if he actually leaves, but if he leaves, he could take the success of UConn with him. The man who replaces Calhoun will be under enormous pressure in the Northeast to repeat Calhoun's success. They will need to be able to recruit all those great New York guards Calhoun has been able to continuously get to come to Storrs.
But that is in the future, the Final Four is right now. The bad thing for MSU, UNC, and Nova fans is this. UConn now has the biggest 'we gotta win this for coach' chip on their shoulder in recent memory because of all that Calhoun and the program have gone through in just the last four games. But they play the games for a reason, and a chip on your shoulder doesn't mean anything if you can't execute.
And just for the fun of it, here's some great Calhoun press conferences.
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