"It's the dumbest f**ing question I've ever heard": When Jim Calhoun dismantled a reporter before acknowledging he "f**ed up" with Ryan Gomes

UConn ex-coach Jim Calhoun could be fiery when dealing with the media — sometimes explosively so. On Jan. 24, 2004, however, his response went down as one of the most iconic media meltdowns in college basketball history.

After his Huskies lost to Providence 56-66 in which Waterbury, Connecticut native and Providence star Ryan Gomes dominated, with 26 points and 12 rebounds, Calhoun was asked in the postgame presser if he regretted not recruiting the local star harder.

Jim Calhoun, known for his blunt, no-nonsense approach, criticized the reporter with harsh language.

"It's the dumbest f**ing question I've ever heard. I've explained it 1,000 times. I f**ed up. I didn't take Ryan Gomes. Does that make you happy?" Calhoun said. Jesus Christ Almighty. It took 18 months to sell the kid to Providence. It's been written about. It's been talked about."

"Don't shake your f**ing head. If you ask a question, I'm telling you how I feel about it. I took Emeka Okafor and Caron Butler. They're not bad. I can't take every player."

"But I'm tired of talking about it. Ryan, he's one of the best players in our league and starting to look like one of the best players in the country. I don't know what else I can say, and if you want me to say I f**ed up, I f**ed up. Write it."

Jim Calhoun led UConn to national championship in 2004 despite loss to Providence

Jim Calhoun and the Huskies won the NCAA national championship that 2003-04 season, defeating Georgia Tech in the title game.

Their loss against Providence in Big East play did not derail their title run, as UConn finished 33-6 overall and won its second national crown under Calhoun's leadership.

UConn started the season ranked No. 1 in the nation and was 3-0 before suffering their first loss against Georgia Tech, followed by their second defeat at North Carolina. A week later, they had an unexpected loss to Providence, Ryan Gomes' star turn.

Despite the defeats, Jim Calhoun's squad gelled in the postseason, winning the Big East Tournament title by defeating Notre Dame, Villanova and Pittsburgh.

They then won six straight NCAA Tournament games against Vermont, DePaul, Vanderbilt, Duke and Alabama before toppling the Yellow Jackets 82-73 in the championship game.

On the other hand, Ryan Gomes' Providence Friars finished 11-5 in the Big East play but lost in the first game of the conference tournament, and then were one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament, falling to Pacific in the first round.