Jim Calhoun to take a medical leave of absence

I know what Husky fans are thinking: not again?!?!

According to Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant, Calhoun will be taking an indefinite leave of absence for medical reasons, and while UConn is not specifying the nature of the illness, they have said it is not a cardiac issue or another incident of cancer:

"It is my recommendation that Coach Calhoun take a medical leave from his coaching position to address some temporary medical issues, none of which involve any previous medical conditions that he has dealt with," UConn Health Center physician Peter Schulman, Calhoun's primary care physician, said in a statement.

"Our primary concern is Coach Calhoun's health and his complete recovery," athletic director Jeff Hathaway said. "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."

UConn fans are used to this.

Stanley Robinson doesn't look too eager to get back to the bench and face the wrath of Calhoun.
(photo credit: Hartford Courant)

Calhoun has missed 21 games in his career due to health issues, most recently last seasons opening round victory of Chattanooga in the NCAA Tournament and an '07-'08 clash with Georgetown. Associate head coach George Blaney, who will be coaching the Huskies in Calhoun's stead, also served five games as head coach, going 3-2, in 2003.

This will only add fuel to the speculative fire that Calhoun may be done coaching the Huskies at the end of this season. He has had a myriad of health issues in the last few years; he is a three-time cancer survivor, most recently in 2008; he took a nasty fall in a bike race last summer, breaking five ribs and ending up hospitalized; he's had issues with dehydration and exhaustion in the past, likely a result of Calhoun refusing to accept that he is a 25 year old pushing his 67 year old body too far.

Calhoun's contract, a six-year deal, expires at the end of this season. It has been rumored that Calhoun and UConn have agreed upon an extension, possibly five years, in principle, but nothing has been signed yet. Given the looming NCAA investigation regarding Ater Majok and former recruit Nate Miles, and with his health problems coming to the forefront again, it is not a stretch to think that this could be Calhoun's final season in Storrs.

It is quite obvious to anyone that has seen a Calhoun press conference this season that the passion, the intensity, and the drive is still there. I'm willing to bet that every single one of the current Huskies will tell you that his short fuse and temper are still there.

The issue is whether his body can handle the stress associated with the rigors of Big East play.