Lute Olson Stepping Down at Arizona
Jennings made the right moveHere’s yet another reason why Brandon Jennings looks like a genius. ESPN.com is reporting that Lute Olson will step down at Arizona again despite comments to the contrary from UA’s spokesperson.
If the reports are true and Olson is planning on entrusting the team to his assistant Mike Dunlap, he will have gone two straight years in which he recruited an entire class under the auspices that he would be their coach without being on the sideline for a single game. Granted, Olson’s leave of absence last year – because of personal reasons – isn’t something to be criticized. But this is yet another sign that Point Guard U is no more.
The last time that Olson was in the news, he was swearing off accepting recruits who are on the one-and-done track. That’s because Jennings opted out of his commitment to the Wildcats to play for Virtus Roma this season. If Arizona stands by that promise to avoid recruits who are going to the League after one year, they’re going to be forced into the second-tier of NCAA programs.
Source: ESPN.com
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October 23rd, 2008 at 1:48 pm
POINTFWD13 says:
Yo, on the real tho … Mike Dunlap can coach.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Why did he step down this time? Is Miles Simon still a coach there? If so did he get bumped up to?
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
gangsta of love says:
As an Arizona fan since I was a kid, I have just one question. Is it now acceptable to stop supporting the Wildcats. I’ve stuck with my Knicks through the last several years, but I don’t know if I can stomach anymore Zona.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
wanabballer says:
@ gangsta
I don’t think I can stomach anymore ‘Zona either… = (
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Habitual Line-Stepper says:
miles simon ain’t there no more. olson let him go when he came back from his leave. lute is old, he need to retire and just enjoy his stacks.
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
doc says:
They been a second tier program for about 8 years now.
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
masquerade says:
yeah jennings is a genius… but with his failed test was he ever supposed to play this year anyway?
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Jesse W. says:
any idea on a solid replacement?
jesse w.
http://www.churchofcowherd.com
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Bone says:
Olson should have left after the Salim Stoudemire/Channing Frye/Mustafa Shakur team blew that 15 point lead with four minutes left in the Elite 8 against Illinois in 2005.
I don’t know, he always seemed like a bitter old man to me (I know he had a lot going on in his life, losing his wife to cancer) he just hadn’t looked like he was enjoying coaching in the last 5-6 years.
Say what you will about Arizona, but with the location and tradition, this is a top 10 job (behind the big five of UK, Duke, UNC, Kansas, and UCLA). Would this be the job that finally gets Mark Few to leave Gonzaga?
October 23rd, 2008 at 4:55 pm
coby who? says:
I wonder how Chase Budinger is feeling now about staying in school another year. Dude better kill it this year!
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Celts Fan says:
Chase is feeling that if CDR went 40th, he may’ve gone undrafted. Stay in school and work on people actually noticing when you’re on the floor and you won’t need to make that decision again…
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Big Sneezy says:
Damn, I’m going to have to get drunk again.
I’m a Tucson native and an Arizona alum. I grew up watching U of A basketball. Lute has been our coach for 25 of my 27 years. I knew this day had to come sometime, just didn’t think it would happen like this. I’m kinda sad, actually, but there’s been way too much coaching drama these last few years, so if this brings some steadiness to the program then it’s the right move. We will definitely lose recruits, so it’s a tough pill to swallow in the meantime. Goodbye, Gaddy, it was nice knowing ya.
Lute in his prime was a great coach, he took us to the top, produced a lot of NBA talent and, simply, he made Arizona college basketball. I hope he’s healthy and I hope that he can communicate a little better about what’s going on in his life. He basically has half the state wanting to lend support. Just the other night, I had a dream that he could lead us on another deep run in the tournament and go out on the top of his game. It’s not gonna happen, but I hope Dunlap can step in and keep things from going completely sour. I’m prepared for some Esherick years, some Guthridge years, but I’ll stay loyal to the Cats.