Reacting to Coach Calhoun's retirement

STORRS, Conn. (WTNH) -- After 26 years, 873 wins and three national titles, UConn head coach Jim Calhoun is calling it a career. Players, coaches, and colleagues from across college basketball reacted to the news on Thursday.

Former UConn star Ben Gordon said, "before I ever signed with Connecticut, there were rumors that he may retire soon. While I was there, those rumors lingered. And I've been hearing them ever since I left. You never quite believe it until you see it."

He continued on to say, "anyone who knows Coach Calhoun knows how competitive he is and how persistent he is and how much passion he has for the game. It really must've been his time to go. He poured his heart and his whole life into being the head coach at the University of Connecticut and establishing greatness in the program. He's had a great career. Being in the Hall of Fame and winning three championships, there really isn't much left for him to accomplish. It'll be good for him to take care of his body and to spend the rest of his time with his family."

Women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma said, "Jim Calhoun helped propel the University of Connecticut onto the national stage. His contributions to this university have been positive and will be long lasting. I want to take this opportunity to wish Jim Calhoun all my best in a long, happy and healthy retirement."

Former assistant coach Andre LaFluer said, "I can call him 'dad' just as easily as I can call him 'coach.' The life lessons that he taught me far outweigh anything that he taught me on the court. I am blessed to have been around him for over 30 years as a player, coach, son, and friend."

Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said, "our teams have competed against [each other] all the way back to his Northeastern days. They always played hard and with great purpose. I personally will miss competing against him."

Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said, "that’s another blow to the Big East, quite frankly, to see him retire. What he did at Connecticut, to win the National Championships he did in a short window and built what he built, I don't know if that had ever been done before."

West Virginia head coach Bob Huggins said, "the job he did at UConn was remarkable. His building of the UConn basketball program in many ways made the Big East what it is today. I hope he is able to retire and enjoy life for all the years of hard work he gave to college basketball."

Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin said, "it was an honor and a privilege to coach against coach Calhoun for the past six years. I have great respect for him as a man as well as his accomplishments on the court. I wish him well in retirement and will miss competing against him."