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Jim Calhoun had surgery to remove cancer in May

Jim Calhoun, Opie Otterstad

Former Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun, left, and artist Opie Otterstad wave to the crowd during a halftime ceremony of an NCAA college basketball game between Connecticut and New Hampshire, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Hartford, Conn. Otterstad’s paintings commemorate Connecticut’s three national championships. (AP Photo/Fred Beckham)

AP

Former UConn coach Jim Calhoun had surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lungs in May, Calhoun told Michael Kay while taping an episode of the YES Network’s Center Stage.

Calhoun, who retired prior to this season as coach of the Huskies, said that doctors were concerned it could’ve been related to a previous skin cancer. This surgery comes just a few months after Calhoun had surgery on his hip following a bicycle accident. he also had surgery on his spine in February.

Calhoun confirmed the news to the Associated Press.

“It was cancer-related, yes,” he told The Associated Press. “I’m not going to talk about it. I was out for a day and a half. I’m completely healthy now.”

In another interesting twist, Calhoun also said he hasn’t ruled out a return to coaching.

You’ve got to feel for a guy who has undergone three surgeries in the past year. Not a great 2012 for him. Let’s all hope the cancer is out of his system.

As far as coaching goes, he could definitely help a low-major program in need of a boost. I think Calhoun’s health will prevent him from being as committed as it takes to revamp a high-major Division I program.

David Harten is the editor of The Backboard Chronicles. You can follow him on Twitter at @David_Harten.