Arizona's Lute Olson revered in Tucson long after retiring

HiCat · Post by **HiCat** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:23 pm

By JOHN MARSHALL (AP Basketball Writer) 1 hour ago

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- The Most Revered Man in Tucson emerges from an arena tunnel and stops to talk before heading up to his seat. A group of fans notice him and yell out: ''Luuute!''

Once a game, inevitably, he appears on the large video board, that perfect shock of white hair still perfect.

''Luuute!''

Even at restaurants, the grocery store, the golf course, the reverence is apparent, though it's more often demonstrated through handshakes or pats on the back than someone yelling out his name.

Lute Olson could have faded into the background after retiring as Arizona's coach. Instead, he remains a visible part of the program, branching its storied past with its return-to-prominence present.

''Coach, his presence, I think is a very healthy thing for our team, for our program, for our future, for our community,'' current Arizona coach Sean Miller said. ''And it is something in his own right that he should be able to enjoy.''

In 25 years as Arizona's coach, Olson transformed the program from an also-ran into a national power.

He led the Wildcats to the 1997 national championship, four trips to the Final Four and 23 straight NCAA tournament appearances. Arizona won 11 conference championships, had 20 straight winning seasons and Olson was named conference coach of the year seven times during his tenure.

Even if Olson had become reclusive in retirement, he would have held a high place in the Arizona pantheon.

Because he's still in the public eye with the program and the university, Olson remains a popular current figure, not just a fond memory.

''It's nice that they recognize that this whole thing started when I first came here,'' Olson said. ''I tell Kelly (his wife) that it's better than people throwing things at us.''

Olson's leave of absence and eventual retirement in 2008 caused Arizona's program to fall into disarray for a couple of seasons.

Miller rebuilt it rapidly, re-establishing the Wildcats as one of the nation's elite programs in his six years as coach. He easily could have turned his back on Olson, broken away from the past and given the program his own identity.

Miller instead embraced Olson's involvement, encouraged him to attend practices and games, to play as big a role with the program as he's comfortable with.

By doing so, Miller rebuilt the program in his own image while still embracing the foundation that helped make it possible.

''It's fabulous what Sean Miller has done to continue the legacy and encourage Lute Olson to always be around,'' said Hall of Famer and television analyst Bill Walton. ''He is one of the just smallest number of most important people in the history of the state of Arizona in terms of making people believe in values.''

Miller has told Olson to visit the team or practices whenever he wants, but the 80-year-old coach tries to keep his distance to avoid interfering.

Olson attends every home game and tries to make the Bay Area road trip with Kelly, but only attends a few preseason practices so he can get to know the new players.

Though retired from coaching, Olson is still heavily involved with Arizona, serving as an ambassador and consultant for the university foundation.

So when he's not at games or on his weekly golf outings, Olson goes to events and speaking engagements around Tucson and the country to tout the university.

''I love when the foundation sends me places because I think it's a great university and I enjoy interacting with people and talking about it,'' Olson said. ''I enjoy representing the university.''

Because health issues led to Olson's retirement, the question over the past few years is always about how he's feeling.

Other than the aches and pains that come with getting older, the coach is in good shape. He takes four-mile walks with Kelly several times a week, has a small workout area in his home and plays golf with a group of friends every week.

''I feel good,'' Olson said. ''My golf game isn't very good right now, but I don't worry so much about the score as enjoying myself.''

Olson's good health has allowed him to still be a public figure for the university, which he enjoys, and allows the school to keep ties to the most revered man in Tucson.

''It's almost impossible to measure the impact Lute Olson had on our basketball program, our community and our state,'' Arizona athletic director Greg Byrne said. ''He may have been the most well-known person in Arizona; I don't think that's a stretch.''
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/arizonas-l ... ncaab.html

Bangkok Wildcat · Post by **Bangkok Wildcat** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:50 pm

Thanks HiCat.

The man is a living legend......one of my fondest memories at the U of A was meeting him briefly.....Long Live The King! Bear Down Lute.

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:50 pm

Revered by everyone except one person on this site.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:34 pm

Who doesn't love Lute? I hope Lute lives forever

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:39 pm

azcat49 wrote:Who doesn't love Lute? I hope Lute lives forever

RR, and I'm not talking about RichRod.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:57 pm

UAEebs86 wrote:
azcat49 wrote:Who doesn't love Lute? I hope Lute lives forever
RR, and I'm not talking about RichRod.

You have got to be F ing kidding me. Of course it would be him. 5 FF and 1 natty and building an elite program means nothing to the great Rocky

UAEebs86 · Post by **UAEebs86** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:59 pm

azcat49 wrote:
UAEebs86 wrote:
azcat49 wrote:Who doesn't love Lute? I hope Lute lives forever
RR, and I'm not talking about RichRod.
You have got to be F ing kidding me. Of course it would be him. 5 FF and 1 natty and building an elite program means nothing to the great Rocky

From another thread:

RockyRaccoon wrote:I have to choke back vomit every time I'm at McKale and the crowd rises to their feet as the silver haired "King" take his place among the plebs before the game starts.

The only connection that man has with royalty is the fact he and Henry VIII were both married about six times each.

http://www.beardownwildcats.com/viewtop ... ing#p71344

Bangkok Wildcat · Post by **Bangkok Wildcat** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:17 pm

UAEebs86 wrote:
azcat49 wrote:
UAEebs86 wrote:
azcat49 wrote:Who doesn't love Lute? I hope Lute lives forever
RR, and I'm not talking about RichRod.
You have got to be F ing kidding me. Of course it would be him. 5 FF and 1 natty and building an elite program means nothing to the great Rocky
From another thread:

RockyRaccoon wrote:I have to choke back vomit every time I'm at McKale and the crowd rises to their feet as the silver haired "King" take his place among the plebs before the game starts.

The only connection that man has with royalty is the fact he and Henry VIII were both married about six times each.
http://www.beardownwildcats.com/viewtop ... ing#p71344

And this is why I have that loser on 'ignore'

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:22 pm

One of the best and smartest things Sean Miller has ever done is keeping Lute involved and showing respect and admiration. It is also a credit to Lute that he's been supportive.

Lute built the Arizona basketball we know. He deserves that admiration.

Read Three and Out on the Lloyd Carr/Rich Rod dynamic to see how easy it is for coaching transitions to go bad when the ex-coach is still a visible presence, or UNC's pre Roy Williams floundering for how hard it is to follow a legend. The fact Sean and Lute make it look effortless is a credit to them both.

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:46 pm

Thank you, Ben Lindsey, for sucking.

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Thu Feb 26, 2015 10:47 pm

Bangkok Wildcat · Post by **Bangkok Wildcat** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:01 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:One of the best and smartest things Sean Miller has ever done is keeping Lute involved and showing respect and admiration. It is also a credit to Lute that he's been supportive.

Lute built the Arizona basketball we know. He deserves that admiration.

Read Three and Out on the Lloyd Carr/Rich Rod dynamic to see how easy it is for coaching transitions to go bad when the ex-coach is still a visible presence, or UNC's pre Roy Williams floundering for how hard it is to follow a legend. The fact Sean and Lute make it look effortless is a credit to them both.

+1000......was thinking the same thing.....we are so damned lucky/fortunate/blessed right now.....we need to appreciate it while we can!

How many other top programs out there have a young stud Head Coach and a retired Hall of Fame Head Coach actively supporting the program??? I can't think of any.....Bear Down......Long Live Luuuuute!

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 6:33 am

Lute is God and anyone saying anything different is not a U of A fan, case closed

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 7:22 am

Lute is not God. If he is, what's he waiting for?

Olsondogg · Post by **Olsondogg** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:06 am

He's my dogs namesake for a reason.

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:35 am

Living in Tucson and working on many high profile events here, I have the privilege of seeing Lute all the time.

I am a 41 year old man and it's kind of embarrassing how giddy and excited I still get when I see him

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:39 am

Newportcat wrote:Lute is God and anyone saying anything different is not a U of A fan, case closed

If we're getting Biblical, I assume Kevin O'Neill is Judas?

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:44 am

As long as Miller isn't Job.

Bangkok Wildcat · Post by **Bangkok Wildcat** » Sat Feb 28, 2015 1:48 am

Spaceman Spiff wrote:
Newportcat wrote:Lute is God and anyone saying anything different is not a U of A fan, case closed
If we're getting Biblical, I assume Kevin O'Neill is Judas?

I get why people don't like KO much......but he does show UA a lot of love on the P12 Network.....he's also amusing to listen to at times for quirky comments.

azgreg · Post by **azgreg** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 12:01 pm

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 12:54 pm

Man, that pic takes me back. Who knew fist bumps went back to the late '80s?

Lute was impossibly cool then.

cpt · Post by **cpt** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 1:56 pm

I suck at predictions. For instance, I thought Cyndi Lauper would triumph over Madonna. I thought Dukakis would beat Bush. And I thought Boyhood would walk away with Best Picture.

One of my worst predictions was after watching Kenny Lofton take batting practice with the Cats in Spring 1989...I told my friend: "you don't just pick up a sport like baseball...Lofton has ZERO chance to get paid to play this sport."

See. I really do suck at predictions.

CBCat · Post by **CBCat** » Thu Mar 05, 2015 6:34 pm

What a fantastic Picture!. Lute in his prime!

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 1:37 pm

At Mr. Ans on Oracle...It begins at 7 pm

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:33 pm

Never a doubt!

https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaAthletics

AZCatGirl · Post by **AZCatGirl** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:46 pm

Love that video. We need to see more Lute and Miller interactions.

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 9:51 pm

It's obvious how much they genuinely like each other. It's awesome.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 12:12 pm

Coming soon: http://www.wildabout88.com/

https://www.facebook.com/wildabout88

'88 is a feature-length documentary about the 1988 Arizona Wildcats basketball team, and the program's fantastic rise under former head coach Lute Olson.

Directed By: Brad Malone and Sean P. Malone

Great things have great beginnings. The '88 team boasted talent the likes of which has rarely been equaled in the annals of college basketball. With stars like Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr leading the way, and a bench so deep opposing teams needed scuba gear just to keep it close, the '88 Cats made their mark on the nation and started an all-out revolution in Tucson, Arizona.

Here's a behind the scenes look at our interview with ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. Jay had great things to say about Lute and Arizona's program. ‪#‎wildabout88‬

Please enjoy this behind the scenes photo of Steve Kerr and producer Brad Malone chatting before the interview. Are you ‪#‎wildabout88‬?

A1RZONA · Post by **A1RZONA** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 2:29 pm

That movie looks awesome! Any release date set?

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Thu Apr 16, 2015 3:01 pm

Not yet, probably late '15 or early '16

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:01 pm

84Cat · Post by **84Cat** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 11:05 am

Alieberman · Post by **Alieberman** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:45 pm

Hoping coach is ok.

Longhorned · Post by **Longhorned** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 4:59 pm

I’m relieved he’s in good condition but man, fighting through this with rehab is further evidence of his resilience. Bear Down.

HiCat · Post by **HiCat** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:09 pm

Former Arizona Wildcats basketball coach Lute Olson suffers minor stroke
The hospital said Olson is in good condition
Posted: 4:18 PM, Feb 18, 2019
Updated: 21 minutes ago
By: Shane Dale

https://www.abc15.com/sports/former-ari ... nor-stroke" target="_blank

Lute Olson hospitalized over weekend with a stroke
Jason Owens
Yahoo SportsFebruary 18, 2019
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/former-a ... 00015.html" target="_blank

PieceOfMeat · Post by **PieceOfMeat** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:19 pm

Hope his recovery is as swift as possible and as full as possible

Chicat · Post by **Chicat** » Mon Feb 18, 2019 8:27 pm

I just hope that his quality of life remains the same as it has been. Every time you see him, at the games or being interviewed or what have you, he is always in such great spirits and so full of life. All I can hope is that continues into his later years.

Bear Down Coach O

Captain Obvious · Post by **Captain Obvious** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 6:40 am

PieceOfMeat wrote:Hope his recovery is as swift as possible and as full as possible

His recovery will undoubtedly be expedited by not watching any more games. It has to be hard for him to watch Miller run the program he worked so hard to build into the ground.

U.P. Zona Fan · Post by **U.P. Zona Fan** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 7:01 am

Prayers for Lute for a full recovery.

zonagrad · Post by **zonagrad** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:37 am

Captain Obvious wrote:
PieceOfMeat wrote:Hope his recovery is as swift as possible and as full as possible
His recovery will undoubtedly be expedited by not watching any more games. It has to be hard for him to watch Miller run the program he worked so hard to build into the ground.

And there it is. Lute didn't exactly exit with the program on solid ground. In fact, it was a poorly managed disaster with Kevin O'Neill hand picked by Lute and then forced out BY LUTE, only to have Lute exit before the season even started. That was running the program into the ground. And Lute gets a pass and rightly so. His accomplishments far outweigh the poorly managed exit. Two years after Russ Pennell left, Sean Miller was leading Arizona to a 17 point beatdown of DUKE in the Sweet 16. How friggin' lucky were we then?

Miller has won 5 Pac 12 titles and reached 3 Elite Eights. That's pretty damn good. This has been discussed ad nauseum --- but let's see how everything shakes out off the court and then welcome an incredible recruiting class. If things fall apart, then Miller is open to plenty of criticism.

Spaceman Spiff · Post by **Spaceman Spiff** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:54 am

PieceOfMeat wrote:Hope his recovery is as swift as possible and as full as possible

This.

Beachcat97 · Post by **Beachcat97** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 12:07 pm

Sending healing and love, Lute! Feel better soon!

catgrad97 · Post by **catgrad97** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 6:37 pm

Captain Obvious wrote:
PieceOfMeat wrote:Hope his recovery is as swift as possible and as full as possible
His recovery will undoubtedly be expedited by not watching any more games. It has to be hard for him to watch Miller run the program he worked so hard to build into the ground.

That is neither obvious nor a captain's statement. Just kneejerk and ignorant.

Get well soon Coach O.

azcat49 · Post by **azcat49** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 7:45 pm

Coach is simply “the man”. We all know what will eventually come and these issues are just a preview. His presence even in his absence is large and in charge.

If the cats want to break this streak, have every fan wear a white wig like his hair. The place would rock and we would win by 60 starting 5 walk ons

dovecanyoncat · Post by **dovecanyoncat** » Tue Feb 19, 2019 8:13 pm

My Father has had two mini strokes. On a 1-10 scale something around a 2. I haven't heard of Coach O's events having been quantified, but at that level it shouldn't be life threatening or profoundly debilitating. Sometimes the victim isn't even certain when they actually occur. Rehab gets back some but not really all of whatever is lost, and probably results in some speech hesitancy and general tentativeness of personality. But the clock is ticking. Get better Coach. We're with you.

U.P. Zona Fan · Post by **U.P. Zona Fan** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 6:14 am

azcat49 wrote:Coach is simply “the man”. We all know what will eventually come and these issues are just a preview. His presence even in his absence is large and in charge.

If the cats want to break this streak, have every fan wear a white wig like his hair. The place would rock and we would win by 60 starting 5 walk ons

And you could play Beethoven and call it the Lute-vig out!!!

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Wed Feb 20, 2019 10:21 am

Forgot who said it, but the quote from 20 years ago was that there are only 2 college coaches who could walk into a restaurant and all conversation would stop.

Bobby Knight and Lute Olson.

Although I imagine that happens in Durham with K and Spokane with Few, among others.

Newportcat · Post by **Newportcat** » Thu Feb 21, 2019 7:46 am

Man I hope Lute gets better quick, bear down coach

PieceOfMeat · Post by **PieceOfMeat** » Sat Feb 23, 2019 6:36 am

We need to get the cactus back on the court. Lute's name is on the court, the logo he cared for/protected should be there too.

maybe integrate the name of the court into it

Merkin · Post by **Merkin** » Sat Feb 23, 2019 9:02 am

I agree, maybe not so big but certainly near their names.

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