Why Jim Calhoun won't be cheering for UConn

Why Jim Calhoun won't be cheering for UConn

Published Apr. 6, 2014 2:59 a.m. ET

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Jim Calhoun is watching the Connecticut Huskies at this Final Four, not coaching them. That's a little bit of a problem.

''My wife said, `You don't cheer during games,''' Calhoun said on the eve of Connecticut's national semifinal against Florida. ''I said, `I'm not a cheerleader. I'm a coach.'''

Calhoun won three national titles in four trips to the Final Four, the last coming in 2011. He retired before the start of the 2012-13 season and is now a special assistant to athletic director Warde Manual.

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He won't be on the bench - that job belongs to Kevin Ollie now - but it won't make much difference to Calhoun's insides.

''Do I get nervous before games? My stomach will be flopping,'' Calhoun said. ''Before the game, somewhere around 4 o'clock, I'll get that coach's look, which means miserable, grumpy, whatever word you want.''

Calhoun seemed to enjoy his new role, though, stopping for interviews several times and never being at a loss for words. He described his hands as ''soaking wet'' during the regional final victory against Michigan State last weekend.

''A good line I heard one time is by Bill Parcells,'' Calhoun said. ''I see too much, meaning I can see the play coming, I can see the sub coming. I see too much sometimes.''

 

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