Lute Olson taking leave of absence

[Dukiedevil]

Looks like Lute is out as coach for a while. Anyone heard what's up?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3094359

[JasonEvans]

Combine this with Olsen's age and you have a formula for a very tough time recruiting at Arizona. Can any kid going there be confident that Lute will be there in a year or two? The dude is 73. How much longer could he have left?

--Jason "time to trot out some stories of Duke vs. Arizona from the 90s and why K refuses to ever play them again" Evans

[Wander]

Real classy Jason.

Hope everything's OK with Lute.

[jimbonelson]

Real classy Jason.

Hope everything's OK with Lute.

great post and im with you hope every thing is ok

[dkbaseball]

The animosity goes back at least to the first time they played in '87 in Tucson -- teams that would both later be in the final four. K was griping a lot about the refereeing (UofA won by eight in a great game; that was their best team, with Sean Elliot and Steve Kerr). When interviewed about it, Lute referred to K rather disdainfully as "Krzyzewski," and it was clear there was no love lost between them. Apparently, the relationship stayed chilly.

[Bay Area Duke Fan]

Duke did not play in the 1987 Final Four.

[tbyers11]

Duke played in Tucson on 12/30/87 and lost 91-85
Both teams did play in the Final Four later that year, the 1988 Final Four.

[ugadevil]

thanks for the stories. my only memory of a duke/arizona game would be the national championship game in 2001. seem to remember arizona having a difficult time getting out to cover the open three's on the wing in transition in the 2nd half.

[captmojo]

I wish Olsen all the best. I mean him no harm.

I've been unsurprised that the only times Duke could get together to play Arizona, it would either be on a neutral location or in Tuscon. Could the athletic departments at these institutions not be able to come to terms to get the teams together in Cameron? In light of this, I was highly surprised to see Lute bring his bunch into the hole's place last year. Maybe due to the fact that he left with a large "L" might offer some insight as to why they've not come to Gothica.

[dkbaseball]

I wish Olsen all the best. I mean him no harm.

I've been unsurprised that the only times Duke could get together to play Arizona, it would either be on a neutral location or in Tuscon. Could the athletic departments at these institutions not be able to come to terms to get the teams together in Cameron? In light of this, I was highly surprised to see Lute bring his bunch into the hole's place last year. Maybe due to the fact that he left with a large "L" might offer some insight as to why they've not come to Gothica.

Arizona came to Cameron at least once -- in 1990. And the Heels put that drubbing on Arizona last year in Tucson. Sad to say, it was the single most impressive performance of the year.

[feldspar]

Lute referred to K rather disdainfully as "Krzyzewski,"

That's harsh, man. Harsh.

[dkbaseball]

That's harsh, man. Harsh.

All in the tone of voice. He got his message across. And I think the conventions of coachspeak dictate that K be referred to as "Mike" or "Coach Krzyzewski" under such circumstances, absent some underlying feud.

[Atldukie79]

I seem to remember a rather constant mumble from Lute about the east coast media bias in general, and the darling Dukies in specific. He always seemed to have a chip on his shoulder about getting no respect out west. He was never afraid to make sarcastic remarks about specific players such as JJ which reminds me of another coach and a word that I used to describe him.The coach? el Deano...the word? SNIDE. Now that I think about it, that's probably why I never really cared for Lute (though not obsessed with him as i was with Dean Smith)...he is simply...snide!

[dbowen]

I've heard through the grapevine that he is getting a divorce, thus, he needs the time to seperate himself from the game for a while.
But, who knows???
This could be totally off.

[Indoor66]

I've heard through the grapevine that he is getting a divorce, thus, he needs the time to seperate himself from the game for a while.
But, who knows???
This could be totally off.

...and after we spent a year grieving his first wife. Too bad.

[dukechem]

Just out of curiosity, who will get the wins and losses while Olson is out?

If he doesn't take them, will he get as much criticism as Coach K did in '95?

[devildeac]

Just out of curiosity, who will get the wins and losses while Olson is out?

If he doesn't take them, will he get as much criticism as Coach K did in '95?

1. I think Pete Gaudet gets the W/L when Lute is out.
2. You gotta be kidding to think that Lute will get the criticism that K received/s.

Serious answer now: If Lute is not coaching in any capacity, then the interim will/should get the W/L but I would bet Arizona has the NCAA clarify that issue.

[-jk]

1. I think Pete Gaudet gets the W/L when Lute is out.
2. You gotta be kidding to think that Lute will get the criticism that K received/s.

Serious answer now: If Lute is not coaching in any capacity, then the interim will/should get the W/L but I would bet Arizona has the NCAA clarify that issue.

According to the NCAA, "If the head coach is not present at a contest due to illness or other unexpected circumstances, or otherwise is unable to complete the sport season, it is the responsibility of the institution to determine whether the win, loss or tie for that contest shall be credited to the head coach or to an interim or assistant coach, as determined by the institution preferably prior to the contest."

Several examples were provided, including K/Gaudet in '95, and Majerus and Olson in '01, all credited to the interim coach.

-jk

[hurleyfor3]

Serious answer now: If Lute is not coaching in any capacity, then the interim will/should get the W/L but I would bet Arizona has the NCAA clarify that issue.

The correct phraseology, as any unc fan will tell you, is that Arizona must petition the NCAA to get the losses removed. The school has to, you know, go door to door and get signatures and stuff.

[/sarcasm]

[YmoBeThere]

Out today that Olson will be gone for the rest of the season. Perhaps a strange way to hire a head coach(O'neill)?