University of Arizona’s Lute Olson taking leave of absence
 |
Bill Jempty | Sunday, November 4, 2007 |
The coach of 1997 NCAA Champs issued a statement today.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona coach Lute Olson is taking a leave of absence for unspecified personal reasons.
In a statement issued by his public relations firm on Sunday, the 73-year-old Hall of Famer said the matter was not health related.
*****
Olson said he wanted to “reassure everyone that this isn’t a health scare, but rather a personal matter that needs my undivided attention.”
The specific reason was not given.
“I want to thank everyone in advance for their support and prayers and request that the media respect my family’s privacy during this time,” he said.
Assistant coach Kevin O’Neill will assume Olson’s duties in his absence.
*****
Olson has a 780-280 record in 34 seasons as a major college coach. In 24 years at Arizona, he is 589-187 with 23 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. His Wildcats have won 11 Pac-10 championships, reached the Final Four four times and won the 1997 NCAA title.
If I were to take a guess, it is that Coash Olson or a close family of his(wife, child, grandchild) has a serious medical issue. No matter what the reason, I wish the coach well and look forward to his return.
- Arizona coach Lute Olson taking year off
- The mighty have fallen- U of Kentucky will accept NIT Bid if offered
- Tubby Smith leaves Kentucky for Minnesota
- Clemson Men’s Soccer Coach Trevor Adair resigns
- CalTech Basketball Wins A Game
- Dennis Erickson Takes Arizona State Job
- Cal hires Ex-Stanford coach Mike Montgomery
- No horse sense
- Gone in a flash- Tampa Bay fires Offensive Coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski
- Tennessee Martin basketball coach resigns after internal audit
- Ex-Claimer wins Breeders Cup Dirt Mile
- Ship wreck- Navy beats Notre Dame 23-21
- NY Islander Defenseman Radek Martinek out for the year with a torn ACL
- Oh have the mighty fallen- Purdue beats Michigan 38-36
- Out of luck- Northwestern beats Iowa 17-10
- Minnesota Twins acquire SS J.J. Hardy from Milwaukee
- U of New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert suspended indefinitely
- FIU loses to Northwood 71-61
- Florida Marlins trade OF Jeremy Hermida to Boston
- San Francisco Giant P Tim Lincecum charged with marijuana possession
Comments are Closed
