Report: Jim Calhoun Taking Leave From UConn

Sports News - January 19th, 2010 - Written By John

On the heels of three-straight losses, and a year removed from a cumbersome investigation by the NCAA, NCAA Basketball Hall of Fame head coach Jim Calhoun has announced that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from Connecticut to focus on health issues.

ESPN broke the news right before 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, a day before the team suits up against St. John's for a warm-up before hosting the top-ranked Texas Longhorns on Saturday. His leave will begin immediately.

Calhoun is said to be acting on the advice of his personal physician, Dr. Peter Schulman, although the particular ailments are unknown. He has battled cancer three times while coaching at UConn, and successfully beat skin cancer last summer.

"It is my recommendation that coach Calhoun take a medical leave from his coaching position to address some temporary medical issues," Schulman said. "None of which involve any previous medical conditions that he has dealt with."

Calhoun has battled through poor health in recent years, and the Huskies haven't made it any easier to sleep at night. They are 11-6 so far this season, and dangerously close of losing a spot in the top-25 polls. A loss against the powerful Longhorns, who will probably be even more determined after losing to Kansas State on Monday, will likely take UConn out of the rankings.

"Our primary concern is Coach Calhoun's health and his complete recovery," athletic director Jeffrey Hathaway said in a statement. "We will do everything possible to support Coach during this time. Jim and I both know that the men's basketball program is in very capable hands under the leadership of Associate Head Coach George Blaney."

Calhoun recently signed a five-year extension back in December, but hasn't had it easy over the last 12 months. In June, he broke a few ribs while riding in a charity bike event, and was recently prodded by the NCAA for illegally recruiting high school star Nate Miles.

Calhoun has coached the Huskies to two National Championships in 1999 and 2004, and is sixth in NCAA history with 812 wins.