WEST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Jim Calhoun announced he will be stepping down as men’s basketball coach at the University of Saint Joseph on Thursday.

President Rhona Free said that Calhoun will step down effective immediately.

Reportedly, Calhoun woke up Thursday morning and called his athletic director to tell her it was time.

“There’s a sadness to it, but the sadness is a different kind of sadness,” said Calhoun. “I’m just proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, the enrollment, and the enthusiasm on campus, and obviously the basketball team.”

Calhoun leaves a storied career. He coached at Northeastern and then built UConn’s team into a national power, winning three national championships over the course of 26 seasons. After retiring from the Huskies in 2012, he returned to the sidelines to start a Division 3 basketball program at St. Joseph’s in 2018.

He not only built the program from scratch, but he also got the Blue Jays to the Division 3 NCAA Tournament.

“Very simply put, I thought it was a good time. It was not a good time after the pandemic,” said Calhoun. “We wanted to make sure that everybody stayed. That kids are coming back, getting their education, finishing their degrees.. and how we’re going to go through this historic time.”

Calhoun is 79 years old and has battled numerous health issues over the years, but says he’s healthy

His main goal after retirement is to just spend more time with his wife and grandkids.

Long-time assistant Glen Miller will take over for Calhoun. Calhoun says that he will always be available to Miller if needs some advice.