[UPDATED] It's Official: Goodbye Lute Olson
by Achilles on Oct 23, 2008 5:19 PM PDT
in Basketball
36 comments
There is a story up on the Rivals site that asks says:
Is Lute Retiring? Lute Olson Stepping Down
Word is that Dick Vitale talked about the story on ESPN this morning.
In addition, a usually impeccable source within the UCLA basketball community has confirmed to Bruins Nation that, in fact, Hall of Fame Arizona Head Basketball Coach Lute Olson is stepping down, most likely tomorrow.
Assistant coach Mike Dunlap, formerly of Metro State in Denver, Colorado will reportedly be the "interim" head coach and the school will conduct a proper, national search for Olson's replacement (though it is perfectly possible they already have their man in Dunlap.)
~~~
While I've rooted hard against Lute Olson's teams over the years, I've great respect for what he accomplished. Arizona was not a basketball powerhouse when he went there, but he turned them into one. At their peak, Arizona teams played exciting, uptempo basketball. Olson also deserves respect as a top recruiter with an eye for talent.
More than anything else, it is sort of sad to see him go out the way he is now. Try and find his most recent press appearances on an Arizona site or YouTube. He's become practically incoherent and appears to be in poor health.
I'll personally prefer to remember him as a fiery, rival coach, prowling the sidelines for some really great UCLA-Arizona match-ups.
~~~
One recruiting note:
Arizona has a commitment from top prep point guard Abdul Gaddy. Gaddy chose Arizona over UCLA. You can expect UCLA coaches to get in touch with Gaddy to gauge how the Olson retirement will impact him.
Gaddy, in case you didn' t know, is young for his class and will be a two year college player at minimum, as he won't be old enough to declare for the draft after his freshman season.
UPDATE (A): ESPN now has this story.
There are also reports on the Scout network that Abdul Gaddy is telling people that the Olson retirement does affect his recruitment.
UPDATE II (A):
Fox has the story now, thought keep in mind, Arizona sources in some of these links are still denying it.
UPDATE III (A): The Arizona Daily Wildcat has a story up now that includes a denial of the Olson retirement story. It says:
ESPN.com reported that sources told Dick Vitale of the would-be retirement, but UA sports information director Tom Duddleston said the news is not true.
"Dick Vitale is wrong right now," Duddleston said in a phone interview with the Daily Wildcat.
When asked if there is any indication that any of the reports may be true, Duddleston said no.
If more news emerges, we'll keep updating the story.
UPDATE IV (N): The Arizona Daily Star has a story up "confirming" that Lute is gone:
Lute Olson will step down as head basketball coach of the Arizona Wildcats, according to the fathers of two top UA recruits who said they were informed by the assistant coaches this morning.Abdul Gaddy, Sr., father of Top 10 point guard Abdul Gaddy, said Olson’s impending departure was confirmed by assistants Reggie Geary and Mike Dunlap. Meanwhile, Solomon Crawford, father of forward Solomon Hill, said Geary told him the news this morning."He just told me it was official — that Lute was out, that (associate head coach Mike) Dunlap was interim," Crawford said.
It also includes the following note re. Gaddy and UCLA (confirming what A wrote above):
“We’re wondering what’s next,” Gaddy Sr. said. “I know my son is concerned now. I told him that after school, we would come down and decide as a family what to do.”Gaddy Sr. said his son is “definitely not happy with what’s going on at the university” and would probably re-open his recruitment. He said he has already heard from several schools interested in re-recruiting his son, including Washington, Memphis and UCLA.
Keep in mind before committing to Zona, UCLA was one of his two finalists. Bruin coaches had been recruiting him hard (following his intial decommit from Zona earlier in the year IIRC). So they have an advantage in terms of build in relationships. This also will make recruiting options interesting for Inland Empire guard Michael Snaer, who will have to keep an eye on Gaddy, in terms of the last available scholie (as of right now) from UCLA in this year's class. If Snaer or Gaddy wants to become Bruins and join with one of the elite programs in the country, they will not have a lot of time (IMHO) to snatch up that last scholarship. GO BRUINS
UPDATE V (N): It's now official. From Arizona's official site:
Lute Olson announced today that he will retire as head coach of The University of Arizona men's basketball team, effective immediately.
UA Athletics Director Jim Livengood announced that a national search will begin soon to find a permanent replacement.
Rest of the press release is here. Good luck to Lute.
GO BRUINS.
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ESPN.com has a story up
The timing to this amazes me. Even if he wanted the recruits to stay, he could’ve bailed after the school year started, and well before basketball practice startsed.
by gilbert on Oct 23, 2008 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I saw the ESPN link ...
before I saw your comment and I added it to the above story, too.
This should get interesting.
Go Bruins
by Achilles on Oct 23, 2008 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very interesting
It’s amazing how dysfunctional that program has gotten.
by gilbert on Oct 23, 2008 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Wildcats Program
started its downward descent almost as soon as it reached the pinnacle of dominance the year they won it all. Utterly spent, the program gradually lost its focus and intensity. Lute’s anguishes in his own personal life only accentuated the program’s vulnerabilities within the conference.
I would still comend him for his skills in develping players.
by Htse005 on Oct 23, 2008 3:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lute's Dysfunction
has been the white elephant in the room for quite a while now.
You’re right, A., it is sad to see this kind of ending to his coaching history, but I sincerely believe that there were several people who had to have seen this coming, and did nothing to try and slow it down or stop it. They owed Coach Olson and the kids better than that.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Oct 23, 2008 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
On the road till Monday ...
Thanks for holding the fort down A and others. I have one word when I think of Lute Olson and his Arizona Wildcats:
ERRATIC.
GO BRUINS.
by Nestor on Oct 23, 2008 10:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for staying on top of this A
An unfortunate way for one of the better coaches of his generation to go out.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 23, 2008 11:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
From a couple people I've talked to
Indications are it is health related. If so, best wishes to Lute and his family.
Gaddy is considering reopening his recruitment, but wants to see how it all plays out before he makes that decision. He still thinks highly of UCLA so if he does reopen his recruitment, expect us to be in the mix again.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 23, 2008 11:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One more thing
When Lute took his leave of absence and things with O’Neil weren’t going well, Arizona started throwing around names they’d look into when Lute retired. Calipari seemed to be at the top of everyone’s list, including a few of their bigger donors who may be willing to chip in on the contract and make it worth Calipari’s while.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 23, 2008 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Calipari thing would be interesting ...
to me, the long term heir apparent is Josh Pastner, who is well-liked in AZ but has no head coaching experience.
If Calipari came back, you could see him bringing with him Pastner, who is now at Memphis. Pastner still would need some head coaching experience, but he could come back to AZ, help Cal restore the program, then get that head coaching experience as some mid major, then ultimately return.
LOL — That is getting way, way ahead of things I know. Mostly, though, if Cal came, Pastner could come back and could help with the recruiting.
~
On another note, I’m with you. As a UCLA fan, I just want to wish a rival coach the best when it comes to his health. Olson’s success was good for the conference and West Coast basketball.
Go Bruins
by Achilles on Oct 23, 2008 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gaddy
I dont think that the NCAA allows UCLA to contact recruits who have committed to another school, iirc the J’Mison Morgan switch to UCLA. Maybe that commitment isnt effective until signed in November, so I am not 100% sure. Gaddy would be a nice addy if Jrue Holiday does a one-and-done. If not, maybe Jrue could stay at SG and Gaddy could do PG.
by Deepcut on Oct 23, 2008 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We can talk to him
Gaddy hasn’t signed a letter of intent and is only a verbal commit. Nothing is official yet. Morgan had signed his LOI and that’s what caused the issue. If Morgan hadn’t, like Gaddy hasn’t, he could have decided to go wherever he wanted without even notifying LSU of the change. At this point, it’s just a verbal commit, which is just a player’s word to the coaches saying that’s what he’s going to do.
by Ryan Rosenblatt on Oct 23, 2008 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
UCLA ...
may contact commits.
They may not contact players who have signed a letter of intent.
Morgan had an LOI that he needed to get out of, Gaddy does not. UCLA can contact Gaddy until he signs.
Gaddy is in a tough spot. He’s a two year player due to his age. He has (I presume) professional aspirations. If he signs with Arizona next month, he’d have no idea who his coach would be for his tenure in Tucson. It could be anyone from Dunlap to Calipari to Mark Few to Rick Pitino to anyone.
Would you sign with a school when you have no idea who the coach is going to be? No idea at all?
I mean, it could be Tony Bennett, which would mean they’d play a controlled, slower pace. It could be Calipari, who plays that spread the floor game. It could be Jamie Dixon, who plays similar to Ben Howland. It could be Mark Few. All top names, but c’mon … the coach is going to be the guy who prepares you for the league. Wouldn’t you like to know who it might be?
Go Bruins
by Achilles on Oct 23, 2008 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gonna be interesting
Calipari – Personally don’t think he’ll end up at Zona. He gets all the players he wants (no matter how shady their backgrouds are…ie Prep Schools). He’s in a conference that he can dominate and it hasn’t hurt them in terms of seeding. He has his own legacy instead of trying to follow the face of a program. I just don’t see it.
Dixon – Man, I really hope he doesn’t end up at Zona. Parrish at cbssportline mentioned him along with Few. Dixon was an assistant when him and Howland were at N. Arizona and has west coast ties. He would be a homerun hire IMO. A reason why he may leave is because the Big East is a MONSTER of a conference. There are so many good teams that it is tough. Coaches have complained about how hard the conference is. On the down side is that Howland and Dixon are close and they HATE playing each other. It is excrutiating for them. Also, Pitt really stepped up in giving him an opportunity and were there to support him when Maggie passed away. I root for Dixon whenever Pitt plays and I see him as a person that is loyal. Thus, I can’t see him leaving Pitt but we’ve seen some big names switch programs in recent years so nothing can be discounted.
T. Bennett – Would be a very good hire but will Zona really welcome the style of play that he would bring. They’re used to running up and down the court. Their fanbase would have a heart attack watching the methodical style of play that Bennett uses. The style is successful but its like asking a fanbase to embrace the wishbone offense after being used to the spread.
Few – I think this may be the leading candidate or the coach that they look to first. West coast ties and runs an entertaining style of play. Few likes the small town type of environment. Tucson fits the bill but not really applicable in my book because Zona basketball means so much to that state. Zags are happy with what they’ve achieved but Zona will be a whole different animal. There will be a lot of scrutiny on him and the program as usual.
R. Bennett – This could be the darkhorse IMO. He has built Saint Mary’s into a contender enough to challenge the Zags. Bennett played some JC at Mesa CC, was an assistant at San Diego, Pepperdine and St. Louis before getting the HC position. He has west coast ties and is a proven commodity which Zona will be looking for. Although Pastner may be somebody they wll look at, I don’t think they’ll hand over the keys to an establishe program to a newbie. That is a big risk and the thing they need most right now is some stability because they haven’t had it in the last few years.
There’ll probably be more names that begin to pop up. It’ll be interesting to see what direction they head towards. I don’t blame Lute for retiring because it is health related. I wish him the best. But it must really suck for guys like Budinger and Hill who returned because they were anticipating playing under Lute’s system. If the reports are accurate, Lute did a good thing by doing this now before the 2009 class signed.
by BlueReign on Oct 23, 2008 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lute's farewell speech
“I owe a lot of my accomplishments and success to none other than Mr. Steve Lavin. After he was unfairly and unjustly let go, winning the Pac 10 got a lot more difficult for me. I just want to say, ‘Thanks Steve’. You can come golf with me anytime!”
by godblesstyus95 on Oct 23, 2008 12:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Any solid leads yet? Calipari and Few are at the top of the list now?
Jesse W.
http://www.churchofcowherd.com
by jwojdylo on Oct 23, 2008 1:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Living in arizona
And sports radio is saying it is a done deal. Take it with a grain of salt though, we all know that lute has no problem putting his team in peril and keeping them guessing the entire year. I love what this does for Gaddy if true. It really should be a no brainer for him to come on over to UCLA. He knows he will be competing at the highest level, and make runs to the final four. Arizona is going to be in some serious disarray after this.
by bruinbrah on Oct 23, 2008 1:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Gaddy
UCLA was 1 of his 2 finalists so it would seem like Gaddy coming to UCLA would be a logical choice. But I can see a snake like Calipari coming in and I would think Kansas with all their attrition would be on him as well. There was talk that Gaddy would not come here because of the logjam at the PG position. I don’t buy it. Whether Jrue decides to stay or not should not matter. Gaddy can play the 1 and Jrue the 2. Jerime can back them up and Malcolm is more of a 2/3 than a true 1. Thus, Gaddy will be battling Jerime for the starting nod. If Jrue is one and done, then there is even more PT available. Roll is a supplemental player/specialist and not really a starter. We’ll see how this plays out. That Zona class is going to implode. These kids have…what a month?…before they have to decide whether they want to sign with Zona not knowing who will be their HC or go somewhere else. It would prudent of Zona to conduct a thorough search instead of making a rash decision in the hopes of retaining their class.
by BlueReign on Oct 23, 2008 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like the comment from the AZ Sports Info Director
“Dick Vitale is wrong right now.” That is what was called a “negative pregnant” in first year law classes (and then of course that phrase is never used thereafter.) It is the equivalent of my favorite depo response (and put a nice pause at each comma): “I do not recall, recollect, or remember, at this time.”
by Fox 71 on Oct 23, 2008 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If this is true
Then I have to think that this is a rather inglorious ending to his career. Despite some less than graceful behavior in his latter years, Lute was still a coach that commanded a certain amount of respect. If anything, he should stay for one last season (and 2-3 more losses to Ben Howland’s Bruins) as a farewell tour before hanging it up. If his health does not permit this, then best of luck Lute, and I hope you enjoy retirement.
by Tydides on Oct 23, 2008 4:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My main concern
As much as we have made fun of Arizona program and Lute Olson, I hope he is all right health wise. I was looking forward to him coming back for one season so that we could have Howland and our warriors duke it out with Olson’s Cats for one more year. It’s too bad.
I hope Lute didn’t make this sudden move for some kind of health reasons. If so my thoughts and prayers are with him.
The best case – I hope he enjoys a happy,healthy and peaceful retirement just like our Coach John R. Wooden.
by Nestor on Oct 23, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My prediction - how Lav will be "working" it
Andy Katz will run a story on ESPN about how “Steve Lavin is one of the candidates for the Zona job”
Few days later either Katz or someone else will run a followup that “Lavin has withdrawn his name from consideration of the Arizona job”
And few days/weeks later Lavin will bloviate on air about how he is having the time of his life, “working” as analyst for WWL.
by Nestor on Oct 23, 2008 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lute: Conspiracy theory
Former Univ. of San Francisco head BB coach, Jesse Evans resigned/fired from his position early in the season last year. Previously, he was an assistant to Lute for many years at Zona. Within days, Lute announced he would not coach Zona for the remainder of the season. The timing was suspicious. Only the administrators at USF and UA really know what transpired. USF and Evans never went public with the reasons why Evans was forced out. Something to ponder for you conspiracy theorists out there. Okay, maybe it’s just me. Anyway, a big shoutout to the Desert “Standard”—LOOOOT!!!
by bruin75 on Oct 23, 2008 5:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I knew of Lute personally through a coaching associate back in the 80's by the name of
Richard Stoney. He and Lute worked together when they were much younger men. Coach Stoney shared with me several stories over the years around Lute’s work ethic, intelligence, character and much more. All positive. All inspiring. As a result I could never really bring myself to feel badly towards Coach Olson, even when he owned the Bruins. A fantastic coach and a true gentlemen. So long Coach Olson and good luck.
by EBuzMiller on Oct 23, 2008 7:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I’d been concerned in recent years that Montgomery would replace Lute at Arizona, which would have been powerful.
by RealisticBruinFan on Oct 23, 2008 7:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sir! Real!
the last couple of year of UofA Basketball has been more like a soap opera than anything else.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden
by MexiBruin on Oct 23, 2008 9:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The Desert "Standard"
Last season Lute chose not to coach not because of health issues, but because he was going through a messy divorce. Now he retires after recently getting engaged to yet another woman. Go figure. I have always admired what Lute has done in the desert—he is quite simply a great coach. However, I think he has tarnished his legacy because of how things went last year with Kevin O’Neil and how he ended his career at Zona. It is a mystery as to why he nor the university felt compelled to give an explanation for the sudden retirement. That is so unfair to the fans, the recruits and to his players. It is comical how all the TV BB analysts are stumbling around conjecturing on why Lute pulled the plug. Why don’t Lute or the university just face the public and do the responsible thing? This is really going to hurt Zona in recruiting and really boost UCLA’s. Anyway, I have a sneaky feeling Lute will resurface later somewhere if not Zona in pursuit of 800 wins since he’s got 780 on the books. Lute is feisty and competitive. You know he’ll hunger for the magical 800. Remember, Eddie Sutton came out of retirement to get 800 at USF last year.
by bruin75 on Oct 24, 2008 1:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I Know The Olson Years At Iowa Well
Lute was virtually a God in Iowa City from the late 70’s to his last year with the Hawkeyes in ‘83 when he brought the Iowa program back to prominence that included a trip to the Final 4 in 1980 (I was there and, of course, so were the Bruins!). The University of Iowa and, for that matter, the whole state was practically on its ear when Lute departed for Tucson in March ’83. Despite the fact that I deplore the idea of U of A thinking that they’re the “standard”, I’ll always have a deep and lasting respect for Lute Olson. Enjoy….
Los Angeles Rams and the UCLA Bruins!!!!!
by Minnesota Bruinfan on Oct 24, 2008 4:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Only SLIGHTLY Off Topic...
(May you find your peace, Coach Olson.)
…THANK YOU, gods of all things Division I, for Coach Ben Howland, our caretaker of Coach Wooden’s program, and for Dan Guerrero.
Love My Bruins
by Bruingirl83 on Oct 24, 2008 11:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Lute really screwed them by not staying gone last year
He should have retired gracefully instead of insisting on coming back for a few months.
How come nobody is mentioning Timmeh!! as a possible replacement. I think he’s a great fit and would not have to be second banana to a bigger program in town..
"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"
by silverlakebruin on Oct 24, 2008 7:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Class of 2009
Wow, it seems that the entire 2009 recruiting class is decommiting. It seems that UA has really screwed the pooch by hiring the ASt. radio anouncer who has never been a head coach. They could not get the assistant coach to come to terms for the head coach position. With Gaddy, Snaer and Moser, this could be another banner recruiting class. Gaddy is quoted as saying he played summer ball at UCLA’s gym and doesnt mind a little competition at the guard spot. That means that he does not have a problem with the number one issue: so many talented guards in the 2008 class. If/When BH rounds up the rest of the stray UA decommits, UCLA could have a new best recruiting class ever. IIRC, UCLA will have at least 4-5 scholarship offer to give out for 2009, with the 1 unused slot, the walk-on who was given a slot, and DC, JS and AA graduating this year. The issue will now be 4 offers made and three great UA players are up for grabs.
by Deepcut on Oct 27, 2008 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Steve Lavin, whose name is being mentioned as a candidate
Steve Lavin, whose name is being mentioned as a candidate for the Arizona job, also shares a great affection for the man. Lavin had a peculiar crossroads with The Wizard: he coached at Purdue, where Wooden was a three-time All-American as a player and then he got to know the coach as a friend and mentor when he went to Westwood in 1991, first as an assistant, and finally as the head coach. Wooden was always a supportive man in the background for Lavin, and remains a model for the man to this day. Rest of article continued at:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3670253
by bruinfan03 on Nov 16, 2008 9:19 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
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