Arizona coach Lute Olson retires

Oct 24, 2008 - 12:36 AM TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Lute Olson soap opera at Arizona has run its course.

Olson announced on Thursday that he is retiring as coach of the Wildcats after an illustrious 25-year tenure.

Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood announced that a national search will begin soon to find a permanent replacement.

"We will never replace Lute Olson," Livengood said. "But we do have to find a successor, and we have to move quickly. I intend to recruit a coach who is worthy to inherit Lute's astounding legacy."

During his time in Tucson, Olson built Arizona into one of the nation's elite programs. He owns a 589-188 record with the Wildcats. Olson has a career record of 780-280 at Long Beach State, Iowa and Arizona. He guided Arizona to the 1997 national title.

"This was not a decision that was made lightly," the 74-year-old Olson said. "I've had a wonderful run at the University of Arizona. I leave with a great sense of pride in what we have accomplished here."

"At this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends," Olson said. "I look forward to watching Wildcat basketball and visiting with my colleagues in the coaching profession. It is time to pass the program on to a younger staff, to transition the university to the next generation of basketball."

Under Olson, the Wildcats have made 24 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the longest streak in the nation. Last season, the Wildcats went just 19-15 and finished seventh in the Pac-10 Conference - their worst showing since 1982--83, the year before Olson arrived from Iowa.

"To my family, all of the players who have put on our uniform, our fans in Tucson and all of the great supporters of this basketball program, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your support and I look forward to reconnecting with each of you," Olson said. "The University of Arizona will always be a basketball school. It will continue to flourish."

"Lute Olson transformed the UA and Tucson into premier basketball country," Arizona president Robert N. Shelton said. "Arizona now stands in the company of great college basketball programs, and we have Lute to thank for that. We will sorely miss his brilliance as our head coach, but we will benefit from the legacy he leaves for decades to come."

The end for Olson in the desert comes after he missed last season after taking a leave of absence for undisclosed reasons. The school had said Olson's leave was not for health reasons.

In April, Olson said he was "energized" and looking forward to this season.

When Olson stepped away last November, a chaotic chain of events started with the proud program.

Assistant Kevin O'Neill, who took over as interim coach, was designated as Olson's successor. However, O'Neill and fellow assistants Miles Simon and Josh Pastner left the program upon Olson's return in April.

In December, Olson filed for divorce from his second wife on the same day he extended his leave from the program throughout the season. Just five months after the divorce was finalized, Olson announced he again was engaged.

The university also reported a possible recruiting violation by Olson last month.