"I both felt that the time away was important for my personal and professional well-being and that I am ready to move ahead from this point at full speed," Calhoun told The Associated Press.
Calhoun returns to a team that badly needs a winning streak: The Huskies (14-10, 4-7 Big East) have fallen to the bottom half of the conference standings one year after a No. 1 seed and a Final Four berth.
UConn's top moment in Calhoun's absence came on Jan. 23, when associate head coach George Blaney led the Huskies to an upset of then-No. 1 Texas. But the Huskies threw away their momentum when they lost the next game at Providence — and that started the second of their three-game losing streaks this season. UConn ended the skid with a seven-point win on Saturday against lowly DePaul (one win in the Big East) and lost at No. 2 Syracuse 72-67 on Wednesday night.
"We still think we're pretty good," Blaney told The AP. "We still think we can be a factor in every game we play in."
UConn has gone 3-4 in Calhoun's absence. School officials have not said what was ailing Calhoun, but indicated that his absence had nothing to do with his three bouts with cancer and was not related to his heart.
Longtime UConn fans described the 67-year-old Calhoun as more down than angry after recent losses. The coach never knew what kind of performance he'd get out of the erratic Huskies and almost seemed resigned to that fate.
Blaney, a former head coach at four schools, including Holy Cross, has a more relaxed coaching style than Calhoun. He has calmly watched games with his arms folded, never giving any hint he was about to blow a gasket over a blown call. The Syracuse game was the 14th time since 2003 he has coached in Calhoun's place.
"I think initially it was easy because they know me and I've been around a while, especially with the older guys," Blaney told The AP. "But I think as the time goes on, it's a little more difficult for them because they're used to his style and the way he runs practices. I would say it might be a little confusing to them at this stage."
Calhoun is making $1.6 million the final year of a six-year deal and was on the brink of signing a multiyear extension in December, though the contract was never completed.
The deal is still there for Calhoun — if he wants it. UConn's coach spoke last season about retiring if the Huskies won the national championship.
Calhoun has been treated for cancer three times during his UConn career, including last summer, when he successfully battled skin cancer. In June, he had to be hospitalized after breaking several ribs during a charity bike ride.
If Calhoun does retire at the end of the season, there is no immediate successor in place. Blaney is 70 and, while he's filled in when needed, is certainly not a long-term solution.
"Whoever takes over, that's going to be the hot seat," former UConn star and Celtics guard Ray Allen told The AP.
The Huskies need signature victories to leap back into NCAA tournament consideration. Their grueling schedule features games this month at No. 4 Villanova and No. 5 West Virginia. UConn is 1-5 vs. the top 25 this season.
UConn might have to win out and reach the Big East tournament final to be considered for an at-large NCAA bid.
That's quite a heady mission for this team — with or without its legendary coach.