Jim Calhoun signs to coach Division III college
Jim Calhoun is officially returning to coaching.
University of St. Joseph in West Hartford announced Tuesday that Calhoun will serve as men’s basketball coach. The Division III program will debut a men’s team this season and Calhoun has been acting as a consultant in the school’s athletic department since last year, building the program he would coach.
On Tuesday, Calhoun signed his coaching contract. Calhoun, 73, last coached in 2012, retiring after collecting 873 victories with Northeastern and UConn. In 26 seasons at UConn, Calhoun won 625 games.
“Whether it’s Division I or Division III, the kids are the kids and the game is the game and I’m looking forward to getting back out on the court and teaching these young men each and every day,” Calhoun said in a statement. “I really missed being a part of a team, and we’re preparing for a great first season at USJ.”
Calhoun, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, will be assisted by former UConn assistant Glen Miller. The season begins against William Paterson University on Nov. 9 at Trinity College.
The school has transitioned to a co-ed institution this year. Athletic director Bill Cardarelli is a former assistant under Calhoun.
“From the first day we started working with Coach, it’s been momentous for all of us — especially our current student-athletes,” St. Joseph president Rhona Free said. “In terms of recruiting all students, not just student-athletes, he has had what we call the ‘Calhoun Effect,’ and we all enjoyed his talk where he emphasized that for all students, academics are the top priority.”