Okay, maybe that isn't the image Jim Calhoun wishes I pulled up for this blog. And I know, it only adds to the perception that many of you have of this man: He yells, he screams, he's too tough on his players and he lacks compassion. Now some of you have added this to the list; he should step away from UConn. Are you kidding me?

This was one of Coach Calhoun's finest coaching jobs at UConn. No, they didn't win a third National Title. Spoiled UConn fans will have to live with two. No, they didn't win a record 17th Big East Title. UConn fans had to settle for fourth place. But with a team picked in the middle of the pack, UConn won 24 games and ripped off ten straight wins in the middle of the season.

Coach Calhoun pointed out today that in 1986, the year he was hired, the most ever wins by a UConn team was 23 games. So this season was better than any other pre-Calhoun, at least in terms of wins.

Perspective. That is what UConn fans often lack. Only Jim Calhoun, Billy Donovan at Florida and Coach K. at Duke have won at least two National Titles in the last 20 years (Coach K. has three). I know the end to the last few seasons has been frustrating; the '06 loss to George Mason in the Elite 8, no post-season in '07 and one and done at the '08 NCAA's. But please...should they get rid of the coach? Someone actually suggested that to me on the radio last week. Sure, go ahead, get rid of him. Schools would be lined up to hire him.

As longtime, former UConn Sports information Director Tim Tolokan once said, Jim Calhoun will not be fully appreciated until after he is gone. It is about time everyone started appreciating him now.

And one final thought, and it's about that picture. Remember the "big" picture. The "ends" do 'justify" the means with Coach Calhoun. How many of his former player return for his charity events? Too many to count. How many of those same players were back for his Hall of Fame induction. I think it was like 55 or 60. That is all that you need to know. He is compassionate. Ask Caron Butler. He just doesn't always show that compassion during a basketball game.

I never liked my college football coach much when I was a player. I love him now. The same can be said of Coach Calhoun's former Huskies--UConn Huskies and Northeastern Huskies. Eventually, I think UConn Nation will have the same collective feeling. They didn't always like Jim Calhoun at UConn...but someday they will love him.