Mar 10, 2008 - 3:02 PM
0 shoutsTUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- Lute Olson, who is on a season-long leave of absence, is expected to return as Arizona basketball coach, according to a published report.
Citing sources close to the coach, FoxSports.com is reporting that Olson will announce his intention to return next season during a news conference on Monday and intends to fulfill his contract, which runs through 2011.
The 73-year-old Olson stepped away from the program prior to the start of the season and was replaced on an interim basis by Kevin O'Neill.
Olson, a Hall of Famer, indicated that he wanted to return after his divorce with his second wife, Christine, was made public on December 8.
O'Neill served as an assistant under Olson from 1986-89 before taking various coaching positions in college and pro basketball.
With an 18-13 record and an 8-10 finish in the Pac-10 Conference, Arizona's string of 23 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances is in jeopardy.
