Calhoun on verge of signing contract extension

Jim Calhoun put a halt to rampant speculation about his coaching future, stating Thursday that he has agreed with UConn on a contract extension and expects to sign it soon.

The announcement comes two days after UConn's 73-51 loss to St. John's in the Big East tournament after which Calhoun dismissed a report that he plans on retiring.

The new deal is reportedly for four years.

"I think it is important for me to put recent questions about my future to rest and make it clear that I will be signing a new contract at UConn," Calhoun said in a released statement. "I plan to continue working hard to get us back to where we expect to be as a basketball program and hope that this agreement will show people that I am committed to the future of UConn basketball."

Calhoun's current contract, which is worth $1.6 million a year, expires June 30. Contract talks have lingered for months as the two sides have worked on finalizing details.

A Hall of Fame coach in his 24th season at UConn and 38th overall as a Division I head coach, Calhoun, 67, has battled health issues throughout his career, including three bouts of cancer since 2003.

Calhoun missed seven games this season due to a leave of absence for an undisclosed medical issue. He returned to the sidelines Feb. 13 against Cincinnati.

An up-and-down season has taken its toll on Calhoun, who has grown frustrated at times with his team's inability to play a consistent brand of basketball. A four-game losing streak dropped UConn (17-15) out of the running for an NCAA tournament bid. The Huskies finished 12th in the Big East with a 7-11 record.

The loss to St. John's on Tuesday was UConn's sixth straight in the conference tournament and also their most lopsided loss in the tournament in 25 years.

Afterwards Calhoun stated that he felt healthy and spoke of his desire to continue coaching. He added that there was a contract offer on the table.

"I love the school and I still love coaching," Calhoun said.

Calhoun also alluded to a chilly relationship with athletic director Jeff Hathaway, who made a brief statement through the university Thursday.

"I am excited that Jim has decided to continue coaching at the University of Connecticut and look forward to having a signed contract in the near future to make it official," said Hathaway who, as a member of the NCAA tournament selection committee, is in Indianapolis.

Calhoun has dealt with the retirement issue over the last couple of seasons as his coaching career winds down, preferring to wait until the off-season to make a decision. But speculation forced him to speed up his thought process last year, too, as he announced plans to return shortly after the Final Four.

The news of an impending contract extension should help UConn's recruiting efforts. The coaching staff has dealt with frequent questions in the recruiting circles about Calhoun's future. The Huskies are involved with several high-profile recruits.

Calhoun has stepped up his recruiting efforts this season in attempt to restock a team that will lose seniors Jerome Dyson, Stanley Robinson and Gavin Edwards. The Huskies already received commitments from three players.

The Huskies will find out about their postseason fate Sunday night when the NIT field is announced.

g.keefe@theday.com