Jim Calhoun is a mountain of a man. He stomps around the sidelines, stares daggers though his players, curses, kicks the scorer’s table. He allegedly once told Cliff Robinson, “sit your sad f***ing ass on the bench where no one will see your sad f***ing face again.” Calhoun’s presence on the sidelines radiates. It infects his players, the crowd, the audience at home. That presence has been missing this season.
Calhoun has missed games this year due to suspension and his recent bout with spinal stenosis, a painful condition that required surgery. While Calhoun was weakened, so was his team. Without their coach, the players have looked lost. There have been stupid turnovers, bad shots, matador defense and a staggering inability to adjust during games. The Huskies lost their fight.
Watching George Blaney meander around the sidelines during that time, befuddled, as the team on the court surrendered breakaway dunks and wide-open 3s, has been a cruel reminder of Calhoun’s greatness. Calhoun is a man who never quits and demands the same from his players. When he walked out of the tunnel and onto the court of Gampel Pavilion on Saturday morning, there was a feeling of comfort. Our leader had returned, and with him, the personality this team has been missing.
Sure, against Pittsburgh, there were defensive lapses. Offensive rebounds were surrendered. Guards made bad passes. Yet another lead was blown to an inferior team. But there was a difference. This time they didn’t give up. There was no pouting. No jogging back on defense as the opponent races past for a fast-break layup. There was only determination. Then there was victory.
A team takes on the personality of its coach. With no guarantees left this season, this team will have to absorb that personality quickly and harness it on the court. They may lose, sure. They may end this confounding and disappointing season in the NIT. Or, they can fight and they can win.
It won’t be easy, but Jim Calhoun wouldn’t have it any other way.
Welcome back, Coach.
Feel free to comment. Keep it PG-13 unless you want to complain about George Blaney. Then all bets are off.
A mountain of a man? You are talking about a man who once fell off a bike during a charity race, broke five ribs, and then finished the 50 mile race before he was transported to the hospital. Did I mention that he has also beaten cancer twice? A mountain of a man is an understatement. If this UConn team played with half of the heart this man has and with his perseverance, they would win a national championship every year. Easier said than done though..
There have been times when I find myself questioning Jimmy’s coaching techniques, such as pulling a player after missing an open shot, (which throws the player and the team out of rhythm), but yet I can’t argue that he get results. The same cannot be said with George Blaney.
After the NCAA announced Calhoun’s suspension, I was actually very curious to see how George Blaney would take lead of the team. I had hopes without Calhoun on the sidelines the team would play more carefree, without the fear of being yanked for missing a shot. However, I was wrong. Very wrong. I couldn’t be more disappointed in George Blaney. He doesn’t call timeouts. He doesn’t run any plays, and he just doesn’t coach. How many games did they blow under his watch that they clearly should have won? All I can say is sh*t rolls down hill and Blaney is at the top of that hill.
So for as long as Calhoun is around I will never question Calhoun’s coaching techniques again. But when the time comes to retire Calhoun’s jersey, for the love of god UConn, don’t promote George Blaney as head coach. My vote is for Donny Marshall…Yes?
George Blaney sucks ass.