Reactions to UConn and Jim Calhoun from around the web

Yesterday, UConn released their response to the NCAA's notice of allegations, in which they essentially absolved head coach Jim Calhoun of any and all wrongdoing. Here are our thoughts.

Here is what the rest of the internet is saying:

Jeff Jacobs, Hartford Courant: "Forget the phone calls, texts and tickets. OK, that's an overstatement. Don't forget them. They speak to the program's sloppiness. Yet much of it is nickel and dime stuff. Allegation No. 2 is why Yahoo! Sports worked so hard and so long on this story. This is why the NCAA jumped in with two heavy feet. This is why UConn's legal bill for the entire process is heading toward seven figures. This is why two assistant coaches went overboard. This isn't whispers. This is fact. And UConn should be ashamed of itself. On Friday, UConn raised the flag of mini-surrender to see if the NCAA will salute at the loss of one scholarship this season and next, two years probation, and a reduction on the number of coaches who contact recruits. Think about it. UConn only has 12 scholarships some years anyway. George Blaney rarely travels to recruit. And probation is little more than an order to keep your nose clean."

Dana O'Neil, ESPN.com: "Calhoun is more than a basketball coach. He’s a basketball icon, a Hall of Famer who is a living, breathing advertisement for the university. A stain on his resume is a stain on the university’s image, so the university will admit that the potted plant in the corner of the office committed an NCAA violation before Calhoun did. A year ago, Calhoun came under fire for his salary. Detractors argued that in tough economic times, his $1.6 million deal was out of line and suggested that the state’s priorities were out of whack when the basketball coach was the state’s highest paid employee. This offseason, Connecticut gave Calhoun a new deal, one that gives him $400,000 more this year, $700,000 more next season and will pay him $13 million over five years. UConn will pay him without apology because of the attention Calhoun brings to the university. And their decision to defend Calhoun to the NCAA? Consider it little more than protecting an investment."

John Stevens, Rush The Court: "We’ll all just have to wait until (most likely) December for the final NCAA decision, but if the NCAA is consistent with its recent statements, they will probably institute penalties more severe than what Connecticut has volunteered. That verdict, and the changing perception about Jim Calhoun — whether it’s fair or not — will affect UConn basketball much more than will be initially evident when it’s handed down."

Gary Parrish, CBSSports: "If Calhoun was promoting an atmosphere for compliance, I would love for somebody to explain how. The coaching staff -- which featured two members who were subsequently forced to resign because of this scandal -- recruited a player (Nate Miles) with an agent (Josh Nochimson), and the staff worked through the agent during the recruiting process. There are excessive phone calls, and despite all this Calhoun has consistently downplayed the significance of almost everything. How is that not "failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance"?"

Sports By Brooks: "Calhoun knew about the relationship between a representative of the UConn’s athletic interests and a UConn recruit that reportedly led to said recruit being provided improper benefits. During recruiting Calhoun also, himself, admitted to making phone calls and distributing free tickets in a way that constituted NCAA rules violations. Yet faced with that hard truth, UConn AD Hathaway said today that Calhoun has a "demonstrated commitment to NCAA compliance." Disgrace."

Matt Norlander, College Hoops Journal: "Fair or not, college basketball coaches receive the majority of the attention, good or bad. Calhoun knows this. His fight in this regard is a futile one. It’s uncomfortable, in a way: A coach who has become — and for many, many years after his retirement will be — the face of UConn men’s basketball is trying to spread the blame around."

Chris Ellsbury, Connecticut Post: "Yes, Jim Calhoun knew everything that was going on. Yet, with so many potential red flags regarding the recruitment of Nate Miles and Miles' involvement with NBA agent/UConn grad Josh Nochimson, did Calhoun ever once stop to consider the consequences? Apparently not. Because he and his staff kept right on trying to make Miles a Husky. For three years."