Jim Calhoun Will Join ESPN's College Basketball Coverage for 2014-15 Season

Jim Calhoun may have retired from coaching basketball at the University of Connecticut in 2012, but he didn't have to go far searching for a new job as he will serve an analyst for ESPN's college basketball coverage during the upcoming season.     

According to The Associated Press, via USA Today, Calhoun's tasks at ESPN will include studio work and calling games:

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Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun will join ESPN's college basketball coverage this season.

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The network said Thursday that he will appear in the studio, conduct interviews, and call some games. Calhoun will make his debut Nov. 18 for the Champions Classic, the doubleheader featuring Michigan State, Duke, Kansas and Kentucky.

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In a statement released on ESPN.com, Calhoun sounded like a kid on Christmas for getting the opportunity to be sharing his insights with a national audience:

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I love the game of basketball and am excited for this chance to share my passion with ESPN viewers. Being an NCAA coach has not only provided me with a unique perspective on the game, but also the opportunity to meet some interesting and inspiring people, and I look forward to having the chance to share their stories.

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This is interesting for a few reasons, not the least of which is Calhoun's notoriously fast speaking style during his press conferences as a head coach. Neil Best of Newsday tweeted about this phenomenon when it was announced Calhoun was going to work for ESPN:

Another reason Calhoun's hiring is intriguing is how he will separate who he was as a coach with what he must do to be an effective analyst. He spent 26 years with Connecticut and still has fingerprints all over that basketball program. 

We have seen this dynamic with some analysts before. Lou Holtz is a perfect example, because as a former Notre Dame head coach you can see his excitement come out anytime the Fighting Irish come up. 

Calhoun, 72, was never shy about offering his thoughts to the media on any topic, so this feels like a natural transition for him. There might be a few growing pains early, but as long as the basketball knowledge shines through—of which he has plenty—it should work out just fine as he gets more comfortable in his new role. 

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