Lute to step down?

[Russ Smith]

Im not blaming Gaddy's wavering on Howland. His hand prints are all over the place right now now that Lute has retired. Im just saying this because Howland isnt the ethical God some UCLA fans (not you Russ) have made him out to be.

Nobody is that ethical. See my last post, UCLA, Memphis and UW have already contacted Gaddy's dad according to him. Not surprised at all since this is so public now.

Which again makes me doubt Calipari to Arizona, if he was even willing to consider that, he wouldn't be contacting UA's top recruit because he'd be wanting to keep him at UA for when he became the UA coach next year.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

When did UA start running the Walberg offense?

I guess I see your train of thought but I'd also seen some talk that Lute and Pastner were at odds. I know Hal Pastner said it was untrue and that Josh was always going to be loyal to UA etc but I still wonder since he started recruiting Gaddy after allegedly promising UA he wouldn't.

FYI, Gaddy's dad said he's being bombarded by coaches now about his son, UCLA, Memphis, UW. And Solomon Hill's dad said he found out about it because USC's coaches called him to ask if Solomon would be interested in USC now.

Gaddy's dad said Geary confirmed that Lute is out and said they'd probably reopen his recruitment.

I know Pastner told Lute that he wouldnt recruit those guys, but Lute cant expect Cal not to recruit those guys.

Im sure every school called our recruits to inform them Lute is gone, which is why I say Howland's finger prints are all over this and we both know they are. Right now our recruits are out in the open with no cover. I just hope this isnt a total disaster and they all verbal somewhere else before UA hires a coach (or at least informs the recruits of who the top 2 candidates are this winter/spring).

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Nobody is that ethical. See my last post, UCLA, Memphis and UW have already contacted Gaddy's dad according to him. Not surprised at all since this is so public now.

Which again makes me doubt Calipari to Arizona, if he was even willing to consider that, he wouldn't be contacting UA's top recruit because he'd be wanting to keep him at UA for when he became the UA coach next year.

Again, I understand that Pastner told Lute he wouldn't recruit these guys. However, dont you think Cal is thinking in the back of his head that if he lands the UA job Gaddy is his?

Again, I hope Gaddy gives UA the time of day to hire a coach then make a decision. If UA lands Cal I think Gaddy comes back on board, but that is a long ways away.

 

[Russ Smith]

I know Pastner told Lute that he wouldnt recruit those guys, but Lute cant expect Cal not to recruit those guys.

Im sure every school called our recruits to inform them Lute is gone, which is why I say Howland's finger prints are all over this and we both know they are. Right now our recruits are out in the open with no cover. I just hope this isnt a total disaster and they all verbal somewhere else before UA hires a coach (or at least informs the recruits of who the top 2 candidates are this winter/spring).

I guess I took fingerprints all over this to mean you were blaming Howland for Gaddy wavering, sounds like you're not.

I have no doubt UCLA is contacting him now, hell the dad said they are. The way it's all gone down I'd be disappointed if they weren't at least inquiring.

Howland's not perfect, he stole Mike Roll from UCSB for example, he reportedly took a verbal from Clint Chapman(now at Texas) and then reneged on it because Kevin Love's dad insisted if UCLA took Chapman, Kevin would go to UNC.

 

[Russ Smith]

Again, I understand that Pastner told Lute he wouldn't recruit these guys. However, dont you think Cal is thinking in the back of his head that if he lands the UA job Gaddy is his?

Again, I hope Gaddy gives UA the time of day to hire a coach then make a decision. If UA lands Cal I think Gaddy comes back on board, but that is a long ways away.

I don't know th erule but I have to think if Cal contacted Gaddy now while at Memphis, and then took the UA job, it'd be some sort of violation? I don't think he'd be allowed to say hey I'm going to take that job next year so stick to your verbal and I'll be your coach.

Just seems to cross some ethical lines that even Calipari wouldn't touch.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

"Okay - In the "History of College Basketball" going back to Phog Allen and Adolph Rupp maybe there are other programs that made hay from 1950 - 1975 that I should acknowledge. "

Your argument was for TRADITION...as silly as it seems maybe I need to explain to you what tradition is? And yes, believe it or not, before your existence there was college basketball and those years counted too. Again, before mouthing off and making ridiculous statements maybe you should do a little research before looking like a fool. Either way though...

"I am actually at work so if you could continue to edit my posts for me while you cruise for porn it would really help my productivity."

Some of us are capable of typing coherently while working, what an epiphany! Sounds like you may have some other interesting work habits though, better hope the old boss doesn't catch on to that. Sorry I made you so sad, resorting to personal attacks is so juvenile.

One more helpful tip, before you post, if you see a little red line under words in your post, that means you misspelled the word. FYI.


"Again - I agree UNC, DUKE, KU, UK, and UCLA are all more accomplished."

The most sane thing you've said today. That is what makes them ELITE.

"And yes your football program sucks and we are going to smoke you come the Territorial Cup. "

Good one...again, hilarious coming from the worst major program in college football over the last 10 years. Seriously, why would you ever bring up football? Maybe you forget, but we've beaten you the last 3 years. Glad you are so confident, I'll be in Tucson to celebrate Rudy going undefeated against U of A, will you?

 

[Russ Smith]

KU was really high on him not too long ago.

Withey can't go anywhere without transferring and would have to ask for a release. My guess is he'll stick around, mom just seems to be angry because UA didn't call them.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I don't know th erule but I have to think if Cal contacted Gaddy now while at Memphis, and then took the UA job, it'd be some sort of violation? I don't think he'd be allowed to say hey I'm going to take that job next year so stick to your verbal and I'll be your coach.

Just seems to cross some ethical lines that even Calipari wouldn't touch.

Oh, no im not saying Cal says, "Hey Adbul, jump on board im going to UA."

Im saying if Cal can sell himself to Gaddy and get in his top 3 (should Gaddy decommit, which is pretty much inevitable) and then is hired at UA (Gaddy's dream school), I think there is a very good chance Gaddy follows Cal to UA, along with some of Cal's recruits in Memphis' 09 class.

 

[Russ Smith]

Oh, no im not saying Cal says, "Hey Adbul, jump on board im going to UA."

Im saying if Cal can sell himself to Gaddy and get in his top 3 (should Gaddy decommit, which is pretty much inevitable) and then is hired at UA (Gaddy's dream school), I think there is a very good chance Gaddy follows Cal to UA, along with some of Cal's recruits in Memphis' 09 class.

Depends on the timing. Cal would have to leave Memphis now for that to happen. Gaddy's very unlikely to decommit and then wait until after the season, remember he hasn't signed an LOI so if he decommitted he'd presumably talk to other schools, pick one, and sign in the early signing period.

It would surprise me if he, Moser or Hill were still open by the time the season was over and UA was able to hire Cal.

You never know.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Just my opinion...

Im not sure why Gaddy would sign early unless they he just wants to get this over with. I understand why these guys would want to sign early and end their recruitment, but I just assume at least one of them would wait to see what UA is doing.

Should UCLA end up with Moser and Gaddy I think the rivalry will be taken to another level, especially in the next 3-5 years while they are playing.

 

[Russ Smith]

Just my opinion...

Im not sure why Gaddy would sign early unless they he just wants to get this over with. I understand why these guys would want to sign early and end their recruitment, but I just assume at least one of them would wait to see what UA is doing.

Should UCLA end up with Moser and Gaddy I think the rivalry will be taken to another level, especially in the next 3-5 years while they are playing.

UCLA doesn't have a ride for Moser. They have one ride and want Snaer, but I doubt they get him. Gaddy would get that ride if he picked UCLA. They could still offer another kid assuming Jrue leaves of course but they technically only have 5 rides to offer and 4 commits.

FYI rivals is reporting that Moser has de-committed, USC is hot after him. Solomon Hill's dad said USC is after him and they're probably going to decommit not official yet.

Crazy day.I'd like to think at least one of the 3 would stick it out and wait to see what happens and Gaddy would be the kid with the most history with UA they're his dream school. But he's also got the most options since he's the best player of the 3.

 

[Lefty]

Great articke. Thanks Lute!
http://tucsoncitizen.com/daily/breakingnews/100513.php

ANTHONY GIMINO
Tucson Citizen
APPRECIATION
There will be time in the next day, next week, next season - the rest of our lives - to wonder whether Lute Olson should have stepped down last year, not Thursday.
For now, there's only one thing to say.
Thanks, Lute.
Thanks for the 25 years.
For the program than produced 24 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. For the 589 victories at Arizona.
For the 1997 national championship. For letting Bennett Davison tussle your perfect white hair.
For Steve Kerr.
For Sean Elliott.
For Bobbi.
For going 43-6 against Arizona State. For those hilarious bank commercials with Arizona State's disheveled coach Bill Frieder, the perfect and always-willing foil.
"It's amazing. I can't tell you the number of people who come up to me and talk to me about the commercials even now," Frieder said Thursday.
"We did a hell of a job during the time we were at those two schools of bringing the relations together."
Thank you for making Dick Vitale swoon over your well-tailored looks.
Thanks for all those guys at the end of the bench that we came to love as the Gumbies.
For Damon Stoudamire and Salim Stoudamire, for Khalid Reeves, Jason Gardner, Jason Terry, Mike Bibby, Matt Othick, Matt Muehlebach, Reggie Geary, Brock Brunkhorst and other savvy ballhandlers.
For letting Terry wear his socks up to his knees.
Thanks for making Arizona Point Guard U.
Thanks for making many of us forget that Arizona was 4-24 overall and 1-17 in the Pac-10 before you took over for the 1983-84 season.
Thanks for making UA basketball the hottest ticket in the Pac-10.
"The loyalty of the fans through the years," Olson said this summer, "is due to the fact they see we have good kids who play good basketball."
Thanks for a streak of 312 weeks of being in the AP poll.
For being ranked No. 1 in five different seasons.
For Final Fours in 1988, 1994, 1997 and 2001.
For 11 seasons with at least a share of the Pac-10 championship.
Florida coach Billy Donovan told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday that Olson's performance at Arizona ranks as one of the best coaching jobs in college basketball history.
"Maybe (the best) of all time," Donovan said.
Thanks for taking on Jerry Tarkanian and all the great games against UNLV. Thanks for stealing away Tom Tolbert at the last minute from Tark, who then dubbed you "Midnight Lute."
For always playing a tough schedule.
For the two-overtime home win over Duke - and Christian Laettner, Bobby Hurley and Grant Hill - in February 1991.
For bringing LSU and Shaquille O'Neal to Tucson in December 1991.
For other home games against Oklahoma, Michigan, Syracuse, Texas, Michigan State, UConn, North Carolina.
"He did a great job at Arizona," Tarkanian told the Las Vegas Sun on Thursday.
"He made them into a national power. I always respect the fact that he played tough teams. He didn't back away from tough teams. He's one of the few coaches who would do that."
Thanks for producing 13 first-round picks in the NBA draft. For producing players who already have earned about $500 million in NBA salaries.
Thanks for the run-and-gun style.
For the way you stomped after the officials.
For not swearing.
Thanks for being a Hall of Famer.
Thanks for a quarter-century in which Arizona basketball was as blue-blooded in college basketball as Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and UCLA.
Thanks for being Tucson's No. 1 citizen for more than two decades.
For making Tucson a winner.
Thanks, Lute.

 

[azsportsfan01]

It's official. Livengood announced he recieved word Lute offically retired. He said there will be many events honoring Lute throughout the year, most likely starting at homecoming next week.

 

[azsportsfan01]

Here is a statement from Lute Olson

"This was not a decision that was made lightly," Olson said. "I've had a wonderful run at The University of Arizona. I leave with a great sense of pride in what we have accomplished here."
"At this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. I look forward to watching Wildcat basketball and visiting with my colleagues in the coaching profession. It is time to pass the program on to a younger staff, to transition the university to the next generation of basketball."
"To my family, all of the players who have put on our uniform, our fans in Tucson and all of the great supporters of this basketball program, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your support, and I look forward to reconnecting with each of you," Olson said. "The University of Arizona will always be a basketball school. It will continue to flourish."

 

[Lefty]

I wonder if the UofA will try and hire a new head coach within the next month or so, or do they wait until after the season? I know one thing, they will be going after a well-known coach. I have been hearing many names, some unrealistic, some realistic. Here are those names:
Izzo
Dixon
Wright
Few
Calipari
Bennett
Lavin(just kidding)

I think if they could get Izzo, that would be a great hire.

 

[Chaplin]

You know, it's probably good in the long run for him to leave, but it doesn't make the anger towards him any less. He might have single-handedly in the space of 6 months destroyed the University of Arizona basketball program. The only way the UofA is going to salvage anything is to hire a VERY high-profile replacement--and that certainly is not Dunlap.

 

[Lefty]

Livengood said he will act quickly and hire a coach. I wonder if anyone has contacted him yet?

 

[Brianellsworth]

I didn't see it on here anywhere so I am going to post it...it is official finally. Lute still doesnt say anything about health as far as I read just says he is ready to move on and spend time with his family etc.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/ua/articles/2008/10/23/20081023spt-olson.html

(Edit...sorry looks like it was already posted but if anyone wants the full article and the link there it is.)

 

[Brianellsworth]

It's official: Olson retires from UA

44 commentsOct. 23, 2008 05:23 PM
Republic news sources
Lute Olson confirmed today that he will retire as head coach of the Arizona men's basketball team, effective immediately, according to a news release issued this afternoon by UA's sports information office.
UA athletic director Jim Livengood said a national search will begin soon to find a permanent replacement. Mike Dunlap will coach the team on an interim basis.
"This was not a decision that was made lightly," Olson said. "I've had a wonderful run at The University of Arizona. I leave with a great sense of pride in what we have accomplished here."
"At this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. I look forward to watching Wildcat basketball and visiting with my colleagues in the coaching profession. It is time to pass the program on to a younger staff, to transition the university to the next generation of basketball."
"To my family, all of the players who have put on our uniform, our fans in Tucson and all of the great supporters of this basketball program, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your support, and I look forward to reconnecting with each of you," Olson said. "The University of Arizona will always be a basketball school. It will continue to flourish."
UA President Robert N. Shelton said, "Lute Olson transformed the UA and Tucson into premier basketball country. Arizona now stands in the company of great college basketball programs, and we have Lute to thank for that. We will sorely miss his brilliance as our head coach, but we will benefit from the legacy he leaves for decades to come."
"We will never replace Lute Olson. But we do have to find a successor, and we have to move quickly," Livengood said. "I intend to recruit a coach who is worthy to inherit Lute's astounding legacy."
Olson came to Arizona in 1983 from the University of Iowa. He led UA to 11 Pac-10 Conference titles, 23 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, four Final Fours, two national championship games and one national title in 1997.
Olson has a career record of 780-280 (.736) in 34 seasons as an NCAA Division I head coach and 589-187 (.759) in 24 years at Arizona. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 27, 2002, Olson is one of only 16 coaches in basketball history to tally 1,000 career victories (covering all levels; Olson also coached on the high school and junior college levels), and has the most Pac-10 wins (327) of any coach in league history

 

[Mr. Boldin]

I wonder if the UofA will try and hire a new head coach within the next month or so, or do they wait until after the season? I know one thing, they will be going after a well-known coach. I have been hearing many names, some unrealistic, some realistic. Here are those names:
Izzo
Dixon
Wright
Few
Calipari
Bennett
Lavin(just kidding)

I think if they could get Izzo, that would be a great hire.

UA would not have a shot at hiring a guy for the job in the next month or two who is qualified. The only way we are getting a big name is in April/May, because no coach in their right mind is going to abandon their team one week after practice starts for a new job.

Also, I dont think there is a school in the country right now who has a shot at Izzo, MSU is his dream job just like UA is Paster's.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Livengood said he will act quickly and hire a coach. I wonder if anyone has contacted him yet?

He means hire an interim coach just like he did with KO. Dunlap is the guy for the season and then the excitement begins this spring.

You have LOI day, the NCAA tournament, and the Final Four. As we all know tons of talk goes on at the FF in regards to coaching changes.

 

[ajcardfan]

It was surprising news at first blush. But, then I thought about how unstable Lute has been the past year and it fits the pattern perfectly.

Anyhow, we'll get to see how elite of a hoops program Arizona really is.

 

[Lefty]

It was surprising news at first blush. But, then I thought about how unstable Lute has been the past year and it fits the pattern perfectly.

Anyhow, we'll get to see how elite of a hoops program Arizona really is.

There will be a lot of coaches who will want the job.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Honestly, we can bicker back and forth all day but the future of UA Hoops depends on one person and one person only and that is whoever the next coach is after Dunlap. If it's Calipari then Arizona will be elite for the next twenty years. If it's Few or Dixon they'll be good but rarely great for roughly the same amount of time. Anybody else that's realistic is a gamble. Programs are coaches and vice versa, whoever Arizona gets will determine the fate of the program and there's no excuse for not getting a winner considering their resources.


And Chap - are you kidding me? Lute didn't screw things up even more by coming back over the last six months. If anything he saved our program as he forced Kevin O'Neill and what would've inevitably been a four or five year disaster out of Tucson. Now at least we get to conduct the national search the program deserves instead of putting in one of Steve Kerr's career loser cronies.


And on another front since ASU fan is enjoying yukking it up over the developments in Tucson is Herb's "sleeping giant" in Tempe losing out on another elite local kid in Daniel Bejanaro. That's Phoenix's best players in 2010 and 2011 going to Texas and Indiana respectively instead of the local supposed rising power. Not that I can gloat considering UA would've loved to grab both of these kids but it's nice to know ASU will not be able to capitalize in our downtime.

 

[Lefty]

Dunlap is said to be thinking it over whether to take the job on an interim basis. You can't blame him because he won't be the head coach next year. Rumor has it if Dunlap says no, Jim Rosborough will be considered.