I went to UA and lived in Tucson for a very long time. I've also been a UA fan since birth (dad graduated from UA too). Let's not underestimate how the loss of Bobbi (might of) affected Lute. When you're with someone for that long, and to lose them suddenly, it's painful and I think it affected him a lot. Soon after her death, things started changing and not so much for the good.....<br />Lute's a great coach and a great man, he has always supported UA and Tucson whole heartedly. I wish him the best!

I have always had a lot of respect for Lute Olson. However, unless there is a still undisclosed serious medical condition that prevents him from coaching this season, his sudden retirement leaves the program in an even bigger quagmire than he left it in last season. The AD made a HUGE mistake last year naming Kevin O'Neill Lute's successor and now he is faced with the same dilemma. Had Lute decided to retire anytime over the spring or summer, the athletic departmetn would have had a great chance of landing an experineced, big name coach to replace him. Again, unless there is something we don't know concerning Olson's health, his actions are really selfish and inexcusable.

It has become transparent over the summer recruiting period that Mr. Olson no longer holds the valence he once did for U of A basketball prospects. Although he leaves a solid legacy - as did Bobby Knight - there comes a time for change to move the entire program forward. Good fortune in your retirement plans, Coach O.

.Very sad day indeed. Great coach who took what Kansas thought was a gauranteed title in 97. You were one of the all-time greats Coach!Best of luck to you!

Good luck and a healthy and happy retirement, although the timing sucks for U of A!

GOOD RUN COACH O! U OF A IS A ELITE CLOLLEGE BASKETBALL PROGRAM SO I THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING IN A BIG NAME COACH, PLEASE LIVENGOOD DON'T MESS THIS ONE UP!!

GREAT RUN COACH, GOOD LUCK!

SORRY TO SEE LUTE GO, BUT WHATS UP WITH THAT? WHY DID HE COME BACK AND NOW RETIRE. DOES THE NCAA HAVE SOME STUFF ON HIM AND HE WOULD BE BETTER TO SAVE FACE AND LEAVE NOW BEFORE BAD NEWS COMES OUT DURING THE SEASON?

Thanks, Lute, for the great coaching and great memories. Best wishes in your retirement.<br /><br />Bear Down!

Coach Olson was my Drivers Ed teacher & my Sophomore Baseball coach at Western High School in Anaheim, Ca. back in the early 60"s. He always treated the students with the utmost respect & dignity. I will always remember him as one of my favorite teachers & as well as a great motivater. <br /><br />My respect & best wishes to Coach Olson.

The class and pride that Lute brought to Arizona athletics, not just basketball, will leave a void that will be near impossible to fill. I have always tried to be an Arizona Football fan, but alas... Lute restored my family's pride in being a member of the Arizona athletics support fan base. Mr Olson started the championship attitude for many other sports as well as basketball. ...football even looks like it may have a good year finally. <br /><br />I know that when Livengood shows his class and provides the fans the opportunity to say goodbye, that we will do our very best to be there to help give him the honor he deserves. <br /><br />The dreadful and mean spirited comments I've read here do not the man, the coach or the program justice. Maybe they should get more of a life and education to recognize the man for his true greatness and not spew their crap.<br /><br />Lute, thank you for all you (and Bobbi) did for the University, Tucson, Arizona and Athletics. We will miss you.

I have been dreading this day for years now, I knew it would come someday and I always wondered what would happen to the program when it did. I hope that we can stay in the spot light and continue a story program, just as I have been wishing for football since my Desert Swarm days. (lets give SC a beat down Saturday)<br /><br />I can still see Miles, Bibby, Dickerson and the boys from 97 holding that national championship trophy. I can see how he coached Kerr Elliot and Lofton as a kid; Olson attracted me to that school as he did for a lot of non basketball kids. Just the fact that you could associate your self with a program like that.<br /><br />Lute you will be missed greatly!! Thanks for the memories.<br /><br />I hear nothing but good about Dunlap, let have a great season and just tell the kids to BEAR DOWN!

"Retire or you are fired" Remember people there is an ongoing NCAA investigation. Retire on his own terms my nalga, he was encouraged to retire to save face. The NCAA and UA have a lot of respect for this man, once again kiss my nalga. "LUTGATE"

it coming directly from his mouth - in an interview, which had nothing to do with him and Arizona, but him bringing it up anyways - and angry he could not wear more UA stuff at the Olympics - vs. some guy who supposedly swam at ASU - stating he knows exactly the reasoning an Olympic swimmer picked his school better than the swimmer himself...<br /><br />another fantastic example of an ASU person trying to grab onto the coat tails of an Arizona student... happens everyday - but this is just ridiculous... soo much so, that to keep going with this conversation would be stupid...<br /><br />or yeah, there is the possibility he lied for no reason during an national interview... good god man, get a hold of yourself

As an ASU Grad I can truly say good luck lute!! It's great to see you leave! Just look at last season. The end is near for basketball dominance at UofA and the main reason is because lute is leaving. <br /><br />Oh and TheRealWildCats Ryk Neethling didn't come to UofA because the bball team was good he came so he could keep nailing Amanda Beard, I swam at ASU and I know both well and trust me that's why he came don't be absurd and act like lute did that.<br /><br />Good luck lute! Try not to cheat on your third wife too much your heart might not be able to handle the Viagra. hahaha just playing good luck dude.

after reading a bunch of the comments on here, i am absolutely shocked - both bad but mostly good stuff...<br /><br />Thats really fantastic to hear all the good people truly showing their respect for a legend that has fallen onto hard times... Lute Olsen has done more for the U of A than possibly anyone else... Across the board - very talented scholars athletes or both have come to Arizona for the basketball program that Lute created down here in Tucson, for instance - the Olympic swimmer from South Africa mentioned in an interview in the Olympics - one of the main reasons he chose to come to Arizona is due to its amazing basketball program... I have had many discussions with student and professor alike who have said having such a successful and fun athletic program is an obvious influence on why they chose to come to this school....<br /><br />Lute Olsen is Arizona Basketball - but now its time to pass the torch - i hope Livengood makes one good choice in his tenure here - we need to bring a very talented big name to the program to bring back our recruiting prowess and most importantly bring our once elite program back to where it was...<br /><br />This is considered Point Guard University (however, i think we have produced better wings) - bringing in Avery Johnson would be absolutely amazing and the correct choice... livengood just needs to pull the trigger, pay the money and hire the man...<br /><br />this is truly a time to BEAR DOWN here at the University of Arizona...<br /><br />Lute - THANK YOU VERY MUCH - it has been an amazing ride...<br /><br />and to all those mo rons out there who find it apropos to talk crap about this legendary person, there is nothing to say to you, as trying to get through the stupidity that is obviously running rampant in the drivel that you have typed on this board would just be a waste of anyone's time, get a grip you worthless trash...<br /><br />on that note:<br /><br />GO CATS!!!! and THANK YOU LUTE!!!

Wow suks to be an AZ alum and fan right now.<br /><br />Best of luck to you Lute! Thanks for the memories. Never forget being a student when we won it all.

Hey AzWldct22, the comment that you told bfat was direct and wonderful especially the part of Coach Olson's private life, I could not have said it better myself.

Thank you Coach Lute Olson for all the excitement and wonderful that you gave all of us Arizona Wildcats Basketball fans. You are not only a great basketball coach but you are a great person, Thank you for the memories.

To Arizona Basketball coach, Lute Olson thank you for the wonderful and exciting memories that you have given all the Wildcats fans. You are not only a great coach but a great person, thank you for the memories Coach Olson.