Time for Lute to retire

[Lefty]

Things are getting out of control in this once proud program. Negedu told Lute this weekend he is not coming and Lute won't let him out of his LOI. Chase is all but gone and I have a feeling Nic won't be back. I think it's time for Lute to step down after this year. If he really cares about the program he will bow out gracefully, even if the Cats don't make the tournament next year.

It has been mentioned that Callipari would accept the job if he was asked but I do not know if the UofA would take a chance on him. I still like Dixon or Few.

What is sad is that many have said Lute is not the same guy he was a year ago. Miles Simon said Lute has changed and he doesn't even know who he is. It really makes you wonder what was really wrong with him when he took his leave of absence?

 

[Russ Smith]

Things are getting out of control in this once proud program. Negedu told Lute this weekend he is not coming and Lute won't let him out of his LOI. Chase is all but gone and I have a feeling Nic won't be back. I think it's time for Lute to step down after this year. If he really cares about the program he will bow out gracefully, even if the Cats don't make the tournament next year.

It has been mentioned that Callipari would accept the job if he was asked but I do not know if the UofA would take a chance on him. I still like Dixon or Few.

What is sad is that many have said Lute is not the same guy he was a year ago. Miles Simon said Lute has changed and he doesn't even know who he is. It really makes you wonder what was really wrong with him when he took his leave of absence?

It' s a tough call both ways the kids committed to a situation they thought was one thing and is now another, but you're hearing rumors now that along with Negedu, Withey wants out , Wise wants out and Jennings might wind up at prepschool because of his grades.

It's never as bad as it looks but if Negedu is really appealing to the NCAA that looks really bad.

 

[Lefty]

It' s a tough call both ways the kids committed to a situation they thought was one thing and is now another, but you're hearing rumors now that along with Negedu, Withey wants out , Wise wants out and Jennings might wind up at prepschool because of his grades.

It's never as bad as it looks but if Negedu is really appealing to the NCAA that looks really bad.

Withey is staying, that is what I heard today. His mother posted that. As for ZNegedu, they need to let him go. If he comes here he will be more a distraction than a help. I really believe this will be Lute's last year and who knows if he actually finishes the year?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Yeah, he's pretty much done. Coming back was good only that we didn't have to see KO inevitably put the program completely in the crapper over the next 5 years and with Lute we have Jordan and Jennings to at least tread water in a bad Pac-10. But this will be Lute's last year, time to start thinking about the future. We should have the choice of some pretty damn good coaches a year from now.

 

[Renz]

Negedu signed to play for Lute, so what's the problem? Did Negedu want to play for Pastner? If so, then he's an idiot.

 

[Lefty]

Could Dunlap be the next coach? I looked at his career and it's pretty impressive.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Negedu signed to play for Lute, so what's the problem? Did Negedu want to play for Pastner? If so, then he's an idiot.

Lute's been MIA is most aspects of the program for awhile so Pastner was Negedu's biggest connection to UA. Not that Lute's completely at fault, Livengood and Kevin O'Neill have a hand in this mess too.

And I agree, Dunlap might be the head coach sooner rather than later although it will only be an interim thing. If Jim Livengood's not the AD (and I've heard the wheels are in motion to get him fired) expect Arizona to make a big hire next season.

 

[Lefty]

Lute's been MIA is most aspects of the program for awhile so Pastner was Negedu's biggest connection to UA. Not that Lute's completely at fault, Livengood and Kevin O'Neill have a hand in this mess too.

And I agree, Dunlap might be the head coach sooner rather than later although it will only be an interim thing. If Jim Livengood's not the AD (and I've heard the wheels are in motion to get him fired) expect Arizona to make a big hire next season.

If the football team does not make a bowl game I heard Livengood will retire before being fired.

 

[Skkorpion]

Hooray Lute! Wants to coach at least 5 more years or until he deigns to retire. Thinks he can't get fired. Same ole delusional man feeling he's entitled.

You need to fire him now, err..., last year.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

In my opinion Lute never really thought he would be coaching for 5 more years, rather it was something he had to say to save face in recruiting after what KO did to the program.

Also, firing Lute Olson would be one of the worst things to happen to UA, not because many think he still has "it", but because of the backlash from firing the HOF coach who built the program, the probability Lute would not support the program much after being fired, and the fact that our NBA talent base would be up in arms and likely would choose not to support the program any longer.

I think it probably is in Lute and UA's best intrests that he leaves following this year, however there is no way UA can fire him and save face. If Lute is gone next year, UA WILL make a big hire and it wont be Dunlap. There are a few big time coaches who would still love to takeover at UA, but the program cant keep declining and expect to land these guys in a few years.

 

[Russ Smith]

Withey is staying, that is what I heard today. His mother posted that. As for ZNegedu, they need to let him go. If he comes here he will be more a distraction than a help. I really believe this will be Lute's last year and who knows if he actually finishes the year?

Good news on Withey, even with the changes if a kid that verballed to Louisville and changed his mind were to ask out now I'd have serious doubts about that kid.

 

[Russ Smith]

Negedu signed to play for Lute, so what's the problem? Did Negedu want to play for Pastner? If so, then he's an idiot.

He says UA lied to him. I think he's just trying to get out because Pastner left and he is pretty certain Lute's not going to be there beyond this year so nobody that he was recruited by will be there next season.

He says if he can't get out and go somewhere else he'll return to prepschool.

 

[Matt L]

How come everytime there is talk about Lute leaving one of the first names to come into play as his replacement is Mark Few?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

How come everytime there is talk about Lute leaving one of the first names to come into play as his replacement is Mark Few?

Smoother transition due to a similar style of play, ability to recruit on the West Coast, Few's desire to be on a one horse town instead of a major media market, and his track record as a coach make Tucson look like a logical fit were he decide to move on. I don't think Few will happen though (Oregon is his alma mater and that will likely open up in the next 2-3 years), if you had to ask me today I think Jamie Dixon, Tony Bennett, or Jeff Capel will be the guy if the change is made next year and Jim Livengood is the AD.

 

[Russ Smith]

Smoother transition due to a similar style of play, ability to recruit on the West Coast, Few's desire to be on a one horse town instead of a major media market, and his track record as a coach make Tucson look like a logical fit were he decide to move on. I don't think Few will happen though (Oregon is his alma mater and that will likely open up in the next 2-3 years), if you had to ask me today I think Jamie Dixon, Tony Bennett, or Jeff Capel will be the guy if the change is made next year and Jim Livengood is the AD.

Few is a very avid fly fishermen I'm not sure if there are opportunities in Arizona like there are in Washington or will be in Oregon? Very good coach though.

Dixon or Bennett would be great hires. Dixon said 2 years ago he'd never coach in the same conference as Howland because they're too close of friends to play that often but he's a West Coast guy so you'd have to assume he'd have interest if Arizona offered.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Dixon has also said that Lute Olson is who he looks up to most as a coach so there's a connection there. Obviously the money and other assurances would have to be right, but with Dixon looking at a roster overhaul after next season the timing lines up pretty well. If Dixon leaves Pitt anytime soon it will be next year.

 

[Matt L]

Few has been a great recruiter at Gonzaga but his in game adjustments leave a lot to be desired.

 

[ajcardfan]

I asked you guys a few weeks ago if you were worried about your program, and you all said "No". Since then, from my point of view, it seems to have gotten worse. If Jennings doesn't qualify, it might be a train wreck.

It seems to me that when Olson walked off the job it started a chain reaction of bad events. I don't think it's impossible that Lute will sit down here soon and think ... "HMMm, no Bayless, no Budinger, no Jennings, no Nedegu... I'm going to quit rather than go out with a bad year."

 

[Chaplin]

HELLO

Jennings WILL get in. Period. It might happen under shady circumstances, but he'll get in.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I asked you guys a few weeks ago if you were worried about your program, and you all said "No". Since then, from my point of view, it seems to have gotten worse. If Jennings doesn't qualify, it might be a train wreck.

We'll still be okay, not championship-level until Lute retires but not football program bad. I don't expect us to bottom out in the next calendar year at which point we'll likely have a new head coach. Jennings is getting in, just listening to him on interviews I know he's not dumb enough to not get an 800 on his SAT which I think is all he needs. You know how these things work, you have to be extremely bad not to get into school.

It seems to me that when Olson walked off the job it started a chain reaction of bad events. I don't think it's impossible that Lute will sit down here soon and think ... "HMMm, no Bayless, no Budinger, no Jennings, no Nedegu... I'm going to quit rather than go out with a bad year."

The fall towards mediocrity began much before Lute's LOA, but that along with KO's maniacal behavior once he got the official successor tag definitely contributed. The only reason Lute is back is because things would've been even worse with O'Neill. Without Lute next year's team would also be without Nic Wise, Jordan Hill, Jamelle Horne, and Jeff Withey along with Bayless/Budinger/Jennings/Negedu. At least we're getting at least four of those guys now and that will be enough to keep us afloat in a bad Pac-10.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

The thing that pisses me off is that we could have had a very legit shot at a Pac-10 title this year if last year wasnt such a disaster. Wise would be back and I think Chase would still be on the fence but the odds of him coming back would have been better had last year not been a disaster.

Either way I just hope we can round out the 08 class with some guys that can help out right away. If that happens I could see UA finishing 3rd if Wise returns and Chase leaves.

 

[Russ Smith]

HELLO

Jennings WILL get in. Period. It might happen under shady circumstances, but he'll get in.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8158222/Nation's-top-recruit-still-not-cleared-by-NCAA

Jennings has received a passing SAT score now but the NCAA is challenging it because his score went up too much from previous attempts. This is weird Jennings was at Oak Hill 2 years, the article says he took it when he was in school in Compton before, so at most he was a soph. I would think it's fairly normal for a kid going from soph to senior from inner city public school to well regarded private school to see a jump in his test score?

I guess this is just the rule though test scores that improve over a certain percentage are automatically challenged going back years now because of the old test cheating scandal. Years ago UCLA rejected Tommie Prince for that very reason he refused to retake his test, went to ASU, and then later his name was on the list of people who'd had someone else take their SAT in LA.

 

[General Chaos]

I would add Jay Wright to the list. He runs the 3 guard system and is relatively young.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Reggie Geary?

Lute just dug his own grave. What an awful hire.

 

[Chaplin]

Reggie Geary?

Lute just dug his own grave. What an awful hire.

And what gold nugget of evidence to you have to support this?