Jim Calhoun is getting a front row view of the NCAA Tournament competition, but perhaps it is one row too far from the sideline that has given him the itch.
The former UConn coach told ESPN he has not ruled out a return to the sidelines, but was quite vague about what he meant. For example, there is an opening at Boston College, a school that would not play UConn very much and would also be closer to Calhoun's childhood hometown.
"I would not be opposed to talking to anyone about basketball," Calhoun said.
Calhoun is reportedly in great health, which is what caused him to leave the UConn sidelines after the 2012 season. Andy Katz, a veteran college basketball insider for ESPN, said the coaching great is enjoying retirement life, by all appearances at least.
But seriously Calhoun is enjoying retirement. I've known him for some time and I've never seen him so much at peace and healthy. Looks good.
— Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) March 14, 2014
Calhoun currently serves as a special advisor to the UConn athletic director Warde Manuel. He will be watching some of the players he used to coach very closely at this year's NCAA Tournament. Kevin Ollie, the current coach of the Huskies, was even Calhoun's handpicked successor.
Well now. Just talked to Jim Calhoun. He didn't say he wouldn't answer the phone. Said Larry Brown is inspiration. Stir it up! :) — Andy Katz (@ESPNAndyKatz) March 14, 2014
"He's taken it over. He's done a wonderful job," Calhoun previously told the Associated Press. "I'm really proud of him."
There is no reason to believe UConn would reinsert Calhoun as the basketball coach, so it stands to reason that BC would be a likely fit for the all-time great. Boston College recently fired Steve Donahue after a 54-76 record. A legendary coach in a competitive conference like the ACC would all but guarantee a recruiting spike for the Eagles.
The UConn-BC rivalry may also be no more since they no longer share a conference, easing Calhoun's mind about potentially taking the job.
Regardless, Calhoun is in elite company. Already a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, Calhoun is one of seven coaches in NCAA Division I history to win at least 800 games. Only John Wooden, Adolf Rupp and Mike Krzyzewski have more national titles than Calhoun, who, like Bob Knight, has cut down the nets three times.
Calhoun has also won more national titles than current and former coaching greats like Dean Smith, Roy Williams, Rick Pitino and Billy Donovan.
