When the East Regional final horn sounded and Madison Square Garden was at full throat, sounding like Storrs East, one of the first people Kevin Ollie sought out was Jim Calhoun.
The two shared a lasting embrace, the former coach and his player-turned-coach enjoying another Final Four berth. Ollie thanked Calhoun for “believing in me,” believing in him as a player two decades ago, believing in him enough to bring him in as an assistant coach four years ago and then believing in him enough to entrust him with his baby, the UConn men’s basketball program, two years ago.
“I’m proud of you,” Calhoun told him.
Calhoun has remained close to the program he built and molded, turning it into a national powerhouse, winning three national championships and reaching four Final Fours. His presence has seemed to increase in recent weeks, as the Huskies have continued to win. He held court with reporters after the win over Michigan State and has talked openly about possibly returning to coaching if the right position opened up. Ollie wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I use him as a sound board for a lot of things,” the 41-year-old Ollie said. “It’s great to have that at my fingertips.”
The two, Ollie said, talked for up to an hour before each tournament game. It was Calhoun, after all, who vouched for Ollie to take over the program, lobbied he be given an opportunity.
“He’s a great resource to have,” Ollie said. “I’d be a fool if I didn’t use it.”
Fool is the last word anyone would use for Ollie. He inherited a damaged program, coming off a disappointing season faced without the possibility of the postseason because of poor academic results. Andre Drummond and Jeremy Lamb bolted for the NBA, Roscoe Smith transferred to UNLV and Alex Oriakhi went to Missouri, leaving the cupboard relatively bare.
There was the chance of more defections, but Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright and DeAndre Daniels — the three key components to this Final Four team — stayed, citing Ollie’s self-confidence and passion for staying put. Ollie’s voice served as a nice change of pace for the players.
“They bring the best out of you in different ways,” Boatright said. “Coach Calhoun will cuss you out and get on you pretty hard to see how you will respond. Coach Ollie will get on you in a different way. He’ll get on you in a positive way. He’ll just challenge you.”
It was clear the program was in good hands from the get-go. Ollie’s first season began with a victory over Michigan State and legendary coach Tom Izzo, a victory that set the tone for a 20-win season. Connecticut athletic director Warde Manuel quickly realized what he had in his new coach. Four months after naming him UConn’s interim coach he handed him a five-year, $7 million deal that looks like a bargain now.
“When he won that [first] game, I knew he had a lot of ability,” Manuel said. “It was a great choice, I want him to be our coach and build a lasting legacy at UConn. He’s had a great start to his coaching career.”
Rip Hamilton, the veteran NBA guard, was one of the many UConn alums glowing with pride in the Garden late Sunday afternoon. Hamilton, like Ollie, said Calhoun’s presence has aided Ollie, not limited him.
“The one thing I love about him is he always listens,” Hamilton said.
Ollie made it clear, though, that while he listens and takes advice from Calhoun, UConn is his team now.
“At the end of the day, I have to build this program on what I believe in, my structure,” he said. “I’m my own man.”