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Kevin Ollie certainly did better than most people projected in his first year with the Connecticut Huskies. Ollie not only had to deal with some sanctions left for him to handle, but the daunting task of replacing the legend that is Jim Calhoun. By all accounts, however, Ollie did so well that most sane people now agree that he was the right man to take on the leadership role within the program.
While no one was questioning his on-court coaching abilities this past season, some were curious to see how he would handle the recruiting trail as the main man in charge of UConn hoops. Well, it seems like the man who loves to sport mustaches is just as good as bringing in good talent as he is as coaching it when it is already there.
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UConn landed a huge verbal commit for the 2014 recruiting class. Daniel Hamilton is regarded as a top 30 player nationally for the 2014 class and is definitely the biggest recruit Ollie has landed since he has taken over. Hamilton coming to the program is a big deal, but the evidence continuing to point to Ollie as being a really good coach is even bigger.
In hindsight, it might be easy to continue to praise Ollie, but not everyone was thrilled with his hiring when it happened. Many felt Calhoun basically tricked the athletic department into hiring him. Well — even if that is true — I think it has worked out very well for the program.
Calhoun: helping the program even when he tried to be stubborn and is in retirement. Makes sense, right?
Joe is a Senior Writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JosephNardone
