Reactions pour in for passing of Hall of Famer, Arizona legend Lute Olson
Aug 27, 2020, 8:53 PM | Updated: 9:05 pm
Lute Olson was the head coach of the men’s basketball team at the University of Arizona for a quarter of a century. His impact on the school and its program is hard to put into words, as is his passing.
Olson died at the age of 85 on Thursday, and goes down as one of the most legendary coaches in the long sports history of the state.
He posted a record of 589-187 with the Wildcats, and under Olson, Arizona won a regular season conference championship 11 times, four postseason conference tournaments and made the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on four different occasions.
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The basketball and Valley sports community came out in full force to say their words on Olson’s passing.
Here are just some of the many.
Thank you coach for taking a chance on some skinny kid from Chandler,Az. I owe my whole basketball career to you and what you taught me. I’m gonna miss you. pic.twitter.com/yRIBVKM137
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) August 28, 2020
It’s rare that a man is a Hall of famer and still under appreciated. I’ll always feel like you never got the credit you deserved as a leader, family man, grandfather, coach and as a mentor. I love you Coach O 🐻⬇️
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) August 28, 2020
Sad to learn about the passing of Lute Olson. One of the all time greats! RIP ❤️ https://t.co/L0tRkmCWJV
— Bobby Hurley (@BobbyHurley11) August 28, 2020
With out you there would be no me Rest peacefully #CoachO #BearDown pic.twitter.com/XUTQwuJqNk
— Jason "The Jet" Terry (@jasonterry31) August 28, 2020
One of the alltime greats and a classic gentleman. RIP https://t.co/nOHQO7BkEy
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) August 28, 2020
Rest In Peace coach 🙏🏾 https://t.co/CQdud10rWC
— Earl J Watson (@Earl_Watson) August 28, 2020
I'm saddened to here of the passing of my former Arizona Wildcats coach and friend Lute Olson….He was a great and honorable man..He built an incredible program and helped mold some pretty incredible men….
RIP Lute…I love you— Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) August 28, 2020
I’m saddened to hear the news of the passing of Coach Olson. A true legend. My condolences to his family and the @uarizona #BearDown
— jarron collins (@jarronctwin) August 28, 2020
Two young “under the radar”
guys on a @NIKE coaches trip, @ZagMBB Mark Few & I, were golf hackers. One morning, @APlayersProgram Lute Olson asked if he could join us. He could have played with other big time coaches but instead he treated us like royalty that day. RIP, Lute.— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) August 28, 2020
My thoughts go out to Lute Olson's family, former players, staff. I thoroughly enjoyed all of my interactions with him — a college basketball legend. He was such a good, decent, giving man. May his memory be a blessing. I wrote this for @APlayersProgram in 2002 about Lute: pic.twitter.com/CqiUignfXd
— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) August 28, 2020
Legendary basketball coach. Mentor. Leader. National Champion. Arizonan. #RIP Lute Olson #BearDown pic.twitter.com/K4VzR0H6oT
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) August 28, 2020
