ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale is reporting that Lute Olson will step down after 25 years as the University of Arizona’s basketball coach. Associate Coach, Mike Dunlap, will take over as the interim coach for the time being.
The University of Arizona has denied the report.
If true, one of college basketball will be losing one of the greatest coaches of all time. Olson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002 and his 27 NCAA tournament appearances is second on the all-time list behind Bobby Knight who as 28 appearances.
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It saddens me that such a great coach ends his career under a cloud. I have been a fan of his and his teams for years. His teams generally played hard and unselfishly. Some of his teams were among my all time favorites to watch play.
Through the years I have gone to many of Arizona’s practices. Practices are where one gets a real appreciation for the ability of a coach. I felt he ran some of the best practices I have ever seen, comparable to coaches Knight, Heathcote, Coach K. and Smith.
I have also been fortunate to coach or get to know some of his players. I have never heard any of his ex-players say anything derogatory about him. Quite the opposite, they all have a great respect for him.
He was well deserved of the Hall of Fame induction. A classy man and a great coach, who deserves to retire with high acclaim by all.
He coached a great number of pros who have/had good careers and were good guys. Dont see too many on this list who were in trouble with the law:
Sean Elliot
Steve Kerr
Jud Buechler
Damon Stoudemire
Gilbert Arenas
Jason Terry
Michael Dickerson
Mike Bibby
Luke Walton