Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Patrick McDonough, Scottsdale arizona — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:44:19 GMT

Congratulations Coach

you deserve all the credit in the world for what you accomplished in your career and what you did for Arizona basketball.

If you are ill then we wish you the best and will keep you in our prayers. Today's student/ athlete needs more role models like Coach Olson.

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

David, Devils Lake, ND — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:21:43 GMT

Kansas is west of the Mississippi. Pretty sure Larry Brown, Roy Williams and Bill Self would take umbrage at your statement, Lute Olson's great career notwithstanding.

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Gilbert Santa Cruz — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:00:35 GMT

I Only have one thing to say is that ever since Bobbi Olson passed, Lute has been a changed person!

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Steve R., Tucson, AZ — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:04:32 GMT

I just wish Lute would stand before the camera and tell us himself what is up. I don't need personal details...just want to hear him say, "my health is not such that I can continue as coach at the level I am accustomed to." But this continuing business of hiding behind one-paragraph press statements is ridiculous. Lute has given us a lot, but we as fans and citizens have given him a lot too, money, fame, etc. We deserve to hear from Lute why he had to quit in this manner.

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Morley Freitas, Laguna Beach CA — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:05:49 GMT

Lute, You did the UofA proud, always with class and dignity . I will miss you on the sideline, as your teams always played hard and were very competitive, well prepared.

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Jim F., Milwaukee WI — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:01:15 GMT

Steve R. in Tucson AZ,
Coach Olson does not owe you anything more than what he has given.
Money? He brought more to Arizona than he took.
Fame? He earned it. You didn't give it.
His health or reasons for stepping down are his business. Simply show appreciation and say thank you.
You should feel lucky that he coached your team for as long as he did.
Good luck filling his shoes.
Jim

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Robert, Claflin, KS — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 00:54:41 GMT

Just goes to prove that 10,000 attaboys can't make up for one aw shit.

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Steve W. Ft. Mohave Az. — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 06:13:51 GMT

Thank goodness he's gone.the last year has been a debacle.
lute for some reason has trashed the prospects of the u of a hoops program and it likely will take years to recover.i guess its just too bad if you're a student athlete who has been led down the primrose path by lute, to say nothing of the coaches and ancillary people affilliated with the u of a hoops program that have been chucked under the bus..being the head coach of a major university is not just a job, its a trust.unfortunately lute violated that trust.
contrary to some statements made,the u of a made lute a very rich man and gave him every tool he required to put a top notch product on the court and he did just that for many years.but that doesnt give him the right to run the program into the gutter.the u of a is bigger than any one man and if someone even as distinguished in his career as lute is suddenly overwhelmed by his responsibilities then he needs to be gotten out of there the sooner the better.
thanks for all the glory lute, good luck, [we paid you very well indeed!] and may God keep you well.
GO CATS!

Tracking the bizarre finish to Olson's career

Dennis Wallem Bloomington, IL — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 11:19:58 GMT

Lute Olson was no doubt a great coach. There has to be
a better explanation to this than just suddenly retiring out of the clear blue sky right after recommitting himself to the program doesn't make any sense. First of all the University lost the heir apparent to the NBA. Then what about all the recruits and their families who thought they were going to a class program with Olson at the helm? They passed on other offers I'm sure and now they find themselves going into the season with a coach "to be named later" and probably will want to transfer but in the process will lose eligibility time. The university should issue a straight forward explanation to alumni, fans, and the country in general as to what's happenned here. If it's a question of legacy, by not telling the whole story I'm afraid he can kiss that good-bye and his reputation will be tarnished by this one last episode, all the accomplishments will be overshadowed.If it is in fact some sort of terminal or crippling disease He would forever be held in the highest of the high in the basketball world. He owes his team the real story rather than putting them into a "piece of meat" class. That action reminds me of something a Calvin Sampson might try to pull off. He's certainly no John Wooden at this point.