Jim Calhoun Says He Offered to Serve Suspension This Season, But NCAA Made Him Wait Until Next Year

For many college basketball fans, it was admittedly difficult to defend the legitimacy of this year’s Final Four. On one side was John Calipari, who’s already had two Final Four appearances vacated, and on the other was Jim Calhoun, who had a three-game suspension waiting for him next season.

Calhoun’s UConn Huskies eventually won the whole thing, of course, but on Thursday, Calhoun exposed an interesting wrinkle in that suspension.

“I volunteered … this is the first time I’ve publicly have said this, to sit out games this year,” Calhoun said on the Dan Patrick Show, according to CBSSports.com. “Whether I agree or disagree with the NCAA is not important. I am the head coach at the University of Connecticut, therefore I should take full responsibility for anything that happened.”

Despite Calhoun’s willingness to serve his suspension immediately, the NCAA declined.

“Their answer was ‘no,’ and I said, ‘All right, but I don’t want to appeal anything,'” Calhouns aid. “That’s why I’m not going to appeal anything. They said no.”

Calhoun was issued a three-game suspension in late February for recruiting violations within the program. He will not be allowed to have any contact with players or staff during those games, and he won’t be allowed to be in the building.

Calhoun also said on the show that he intends to return to UConn next season.