Former UConn coach Jim Calhoun told ESPN he contemplating a return to coaching at upstart Division III University of St. Joseph's in Connecticut, but the 75-year-old said he needs to clear it past his wife before taking the next step.

Calhoun told ESPN he is close with St. Joseph's athletic director Bill Cardarelli, and the two have had recent discussions about candidates to take over the men's basketball program when it begins playing in 2018-19. Cardarelli then gauged Calhoun's interest in the job.

"I miss the kids," said Calhoun, who retired in 2012 largely due to health reasons. "I follow the game, and I love the game. But I need to clear it by my wife, Pat, before I make a decision."

"I'll talk to her about it and make a decision in the next week," he added.

The Hartford Courant first reported Calhoun's interest in returning to the sideline.

Jim Calhoun is weighing taking a Division III job to get back into coaching, he told ESPN. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Calhoun, who said his health is no longer an issue, said the job would involve less travel due to the proximity to his home. He told ESPN he felt he could do the majority of his recruiting in New England, where he is from and has spent his coaching career. Also, for the next year, Calhoun would have to focus only on recruiting and building a team for 2018-19.

He is currently a special assistant to the athletic director at UConn. He also said he has been approached to do TV work. Calhoun previously worked at ESPN.

"This job is the only one I would come back for," Calhoun told ESPN. "I have no desire to go back to the mainstream."

Calhoun spent 26 seasons as UConn coach and won three national titles -- in 1999, 2004 and 2011.