Comments on: Lute Olson Stepping Down at Arizona

By: Big Sneezy

Big Sneezy — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 01:05:24 +0000

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.

By: Celts Fan

Celts Fan — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:21:07 +0000

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…

By: coby who?

coby who? — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:55:46 +0000

I wonder how Chase Budinger is feeling now about staying in school another year. Dude better kill it this year!

By: Bone

Bone — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:48:49 +0000

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?

By: Jesse W.

Jesse W. — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:13:11 +0000

any idea on a solid replacement?

jesse w.
http://www.churchofcowherd.com

By: masquerade

masquerade — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:19:29 +0000

yeah jennings is a genius… but with his failed test was he ever supposed to play this year anyway?

By: doc

doc — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:46:30 +0000

They been a second tier program for about 8 years now.

By: Habitual Line-Stepper

Habitual Line-Stepper — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:37:07 +0000

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.

By: wanabballer

wanabballer — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:13:23 +0000

@ gangsta

I don’t think I can stomach anymore ‘Zona either… = (

By: gangsta of love

gangsta of love — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:09:58 +0000

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.