Calhoun: Legacy can wait until after Final Four

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun compares himself to an old car - once shiny, new and well-liked by everyone, he's had his share of dings to his reputation during the later part of his 39-year coaching career.

“The shine will wear off the car...and you'll get some nicks and dents and bumps,” Calhoun said Monday. “And hopefully when it's all said and done, they'll look back and see what the heck you did for your kids, for your university, for your community.”

This week, the Hall of Fame coach, who already has two national titles on his resume, will take his program to a fourth Final Four, after a year that saw many critics calling for his job.

Those calls came after the Huskies failed to make the tournament in 2010, and the NCAA issued a report that found several major recruiting violations in the UConn program.

The criticism grew loud again in February after UConn finished this regular season with losses in four of its last five games. The losing streak came as the NCAA hit the team with sanctions that included a three-game conference suspension for Calhoun for failing to create an atmosphere of compliance in the program - a suspension he will serve if he returns next season.