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.

[dkbaseball]

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?

I was in Tucson a few months ago when Kevin O'Neill was hired as assistant, even though he had previously been a head coach at UTenn and in the NBA and seemed to be taking a big step backwards. Though the AD denied it, the understanding is pretty clear that O'Neill, who is a dynamite recruiter and was assistant at UofA in the Sean Elliot glory years, has been anointed as Olsen's successor. I believe that Brandon Jennings and the others who have signed since the hire are under the impression that O'Neill will eventually take over.

That said, no one is sure when that will be. Lute likes to think of himself as extraordinarily youthful, and has some evidence for the case. His players are in awe of his energy. He regularly joins them in the weight room, and holds his own.

[dukemsu]

Despite Luther's complaining after the 01 final about the officiating and his somewhat delusional rantings about the pro-Redick media (at the expense of Salim Stoudamire), I've always thought he was a pretty classy guy who was good for college basketball.

Hope everything's okay in Tuscon.

[ugadevil]

I'm too young to know the stories from the early 90's. Why does K refuse to play against Arizona? Is anyone willing to share some of those stories?

[tommy]

I'm too young to know the stories from the early 90's. Why does K refuse to play against Arizona? Is anyone willing to share some of those stories?

I was at the regular season game we played in Tucson in, what was it, the early 90's, and we got jobbed big-time. The reffing was simply horrible, and it was very pro-Arizona. Really bad, and decisive.

The crowd was terrible too -- unknowledgeable, old fuddy-duddy types whose attitude was like, "how dare you cheer for the opponent" and "what do you mean it's possible a team could come in here and we could actually . . . lose?" Classic nouveu riche stuff. But I suspect K's refusal to play them has to do with the referreeing, not the crowd.

[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 (http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/games/boxscore.php?gameid=19871230)
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. :D

[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.

[feldspar]

Lute referred to K rather disdainfully as "Krzyzewski,"

That's harsh, man. Harsh.

:)

[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.

[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 (http://www.ncaa.org/stats/2007-08_stats_policies.pdf), "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)?

[JasonEvans]

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

I am betting that Lute comes back for a final swan-song/farewell season next year before handing things over to O'Neil.

One has to wonder what this does to Arizona recruiting. Uncertainty about the head coach is never a good thing from a recruiting standpoint. Arizona has always been a major force in recruiting (they have beaten us on several occasions). How much does this hurt them? A premium article (I will not pay for it) on rivals says 4 of Arizona's commits are still solid but a fifth has "no comment." Seeing as the 4 2008 signees have all signed LOIs (making it much more difficult for them to reneg on Arizona) I wonder if the fifth is 2009 PG Abdul Gaddy. He is a real stud recruit, easily considered one of the top 20 players in what is a loaded class and the highest rated recruit in the 2009 class to commit so far. That said, Duke was not really on his recruiting radar and if he does not go to Arizona, he would likely go to Kansas or a West coast school in OR or his home state of Washington.

If Olsen's absence hurts Arizona in recruiting it could make a huge difference with the Wear brothers, Travis and David. They are both top 20 studs from the 2009 class and if Arizona falls off their list it makes UCLA a very likely destination for these 6-9 twins. Damn, UCLA is a real recruiting machine under Howland!

Duke and Arizona, despite locking heads many times in the past, are not really after many of the same players in the 2009 class. We are both in the early running for 6-7 forward Reeves Nelson, but there are a ton of schools still on his list including UCLA, Georgetown, Cal, USC, and UNC.

I may be wrong, but aside from Nelson, I don't see any other major recruits considering Duke and Arizona.

--Jason "one other side note to all this is that Lute will now fall hopelessly behind Coach K in total wins... though that was just a matter of time anyway" Evans

[JasonEvans]

Perhaps a strange way to hire a head coach(O'neill)?

One more note... Arizona is saying that Kevin O'Neil is NOT Lute's designated successor, at least not yet. In many ways, this season will serve as O'Neil's audition for the job. If Arizona falls short of expectations, it may really hurt O'Neil's quest to get the job long-term.

--Jason "aside from a few years at Marquette, I have not been all that impressed with Kevin O'Neil as a coach" Evans

[BoC]

In the game against Arizona in the '90-'91 season, Greg Koubek hit a three-point shot at some point in the game (probably late in regulation) and when the commercial break ended the officials had changed the 3-point shot to a 2-point shot, with no explanation. Regulation ended in a tie, and Duke lost in 2-OTs, 103-96.

I remember being outraged at the initial point downgrading (and I'm actually a pretty fair-minded individual when it comes to things like "unfair" officiating, etc...), especially when the announcers showed replays of the shot in question and Greg's foot was clearly behind the three-point line.

Maybe that has something to do with the K/Lute deal.

[Turtleboy]

Apparently, he's getting divorced (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3145718).

[Ben63]

I wish all the best to Coach Olsen, his family, and the rest of the Widcat players. Hope to see him back on the sidelines soon.

[Patrick Yates]

That must be one messy divorce if it entails taking time off from the season. Heck, Lute did not even take time off when his first wife was dying from cancer.

Then, IIRC, and, I do, he got remarried at breakneck speed. That marriage is presumably the bust up in question here.

That leads to the question: What is so bad about this divorce that it warrants a leave of absence. Any lawyer will tell you that a divorce can be handled purely through lawyers. An amicable divorce (rare, but they do exist), are relatively painless affairs. This must be bad for Lute to take a leave of absence for.

SPECULATION ALERT.

There is NO POSSIBLE WAY IN ANY CONCIEVABLE PLANE OF REALITY that Lute did not sign a pre-nup when he remarried. None. He is too smart and too rich not to. Given the unseemly haste of his marriage, I have to wonder what the soon to be ex will be breaking out in an attempt to void the prenup, or meet some out clause, or whatever. What could be so bad that he would take off a season? It would have to be something that would make him a media circus, thus ensaring the team, which he is presumably trying to shield/spare.

Why do I feel like ESPN is getting ready to set up a satelite office on the UA campus?

Patrick Yates

ps. I am well aware that my interest in this makes me a bad person. I came to terms with me being fundamentally "bad" long ago, so don't carp at me. I don't care about other peoples' feelings.

[ehdg]

Patrick Yates

ps. I am well aware that my interest in this makes me a bad person. I came to terms with me being fundamentally "bad" long ago, so don't carp at me. I don't care about other peoples' feelings.

Tks for a good laugh. Love this post!! :D

They wheren't married that long I think so she can't be entitled to that much I'd think. She's only able to go after what he earned during their marriage no?

[Channing]

i know we live in a celebrity driven society, but I hate how Lute Olsen's divorce is front page ESPN news. I would have preferred some privacy for Olsen in what is presumably a trying time for him and his family. I understand that is the punishment for being in the public eye, but a little discretion would go a long way.

[wiscodevil]

Tks for a good laugh. Love this post!! :D

They wheren't married that long I think so she can't be entitled to that much I'd think. She's only able to go after what he earned during their marriage no?

i think she is richer than he is.

[dukestheheat]

dukechem-

an interesting side story to that which you bring up about K/back stuff from 1995; this 'leave of absence concept' isn't new to sports and in particular, college basketball.

k was widely criticized for the w's/l's not going onto his record after he took the leave; appropriately, they were added to gaudet's record as it was his team at that time.

so i took a look at a couple teams out there who might have had the same thing happen; Kansas popped up immediately. Phog Allen had to take a leave during a season and the w's and l's after his leave were added to his assistant (just as that which happened with duke/gaudet/K).

so when i took the chance to mention this to a couple Kansas folks I'd chatted with, that the very same thing happened to one of THEIR coaches and in the same type of situation that they were criticizing Duke for, they said that that would put an end to their griping. and it did.

dth.

[elvis14]

i know we live in a celebrity driven society, but I hate how Lute Olsen's divorce is front page ESPN news. I would have preferred some privacy for Olsen in what is presumably a trying time for him and his family. I understand that is the punishment for being in the public eye, but a little discretion would go a long way.

Amen brother. Why isn't Olson taking leave "for personal reasons" good enough? That's what personal means, we don't need to know that he's getting a divorce and ESPN shouldn't be reporting it!

[dukie8]

i know we live in a celebrity driven society, but I hate how Lute Olsen's divorce is front page ESPN news. I would have preferred some privacy for Olsen in what is presumably a trying time for him and his family. I understand that is the punishment for being in the public eye, but a little discretion would go a long way.

i disagree. i couldn't care in the least what he is up to in his personal life but other people do. if he has a problem with that, then he shouldn't coach men's basketball at the university of arizona and be paid accordingly. there are plenty of other places he can coach at (eg, high school or low profile schools) that nobody will care in the least what he does and doesn't do in his personal life.

it kind of reminds me of movies stars complaining about the media and paparazzi when, but for the media and paparazzi, they wouldn't be making even a fraction of what they currently earn.

[Channing]

i disagree. i couldn't care in the least what he is up to in his personal life but other people do. if he has a problem with that, then he shouldn't coach men's basketball at the university of arizona and be paid accordingly. there are plenty of other places he can coach at (eg, high school or low profile schools) that nobody will care in the least what he does and doesn't do in his personal life.

it kind of reminds me of movies stars complaining about the media and paparazzi when, but for the media and paparazzi, they wouldn't be making even a fraction of what they currently earn.

I understand that argument. However, in my mind there is a distinction between a movie star/ high profile athlete and a college basketball coach. I know they get paid very well, but I believe the people who should care about this are the administrators and boosters at UA (only to the extent of whether it will affect his job). I know the reason Lute gets paid so much is because of the popularity and big business of CBB (which results from the media), but I dont think he is analogous to the movie star who goes running to the media everytime she gives 100 dollars to charity.

JMO

[VAGentleman05]

i think she is richer than he is.

Big time (she is a Wahoo, you know). Lute's lawyer says the "personal problem" is not the divorce, and I'm inclined to think he's telling the truth on this one. I'm doubtful that Lute will be able to keep it private forever, though.

[rthomas]

Fooling a-round. Clap, clap clap clap clap. Fooling a-round. Clap, clap clap clap clap. Fooling a-round. Clap, clap clap clap clap.

Sorry, but I don't give a {blank} about Lute or UArizona.

[gotham devil]

Big time (she is a Wahoo, you know). Lute's lawyer says the "personal problem" is not the divorce, and I'm inclined to think he's telling the truth on this one. I'm doubtful that Lute will be able to keep it private forever, though.

She inherited a nat gas business when her father, the CEO, [committed suicide]. As for O'Neill, he's always had the rep for being cold and abrasive, which has hurt his recruiting.

[weezie]

She inherited a nat gas business when her father, the CEO[...]. As for O'Neill, he's always had the rep for being cold and abrasive, which has hurt his recruiting.

Good heavens. Let's step back a bit here. rthomas might have been onto something. Whatever Lute's up against, the ACC is enough to contend with until sometime in March.

[throatybeard]

This whole thread makes me very uncomfortable.

Here's the ESPN story:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3145718

[SeattleIrish]

I was on the IC board reading their Lute thread and feeling smug, thinking, "THIS is one of the reasons I love the DBR board; these kind of posts simply wouldn't be tolerated!"

Clearly I was wrong. Oh well, I'm sure this lesson, upon some reflection, will be positive in the end.

If it comes to a board vote, count me in the, "lock this thread" column.

s.i.

[throatybeard]

Andy Katz with a nice "it's none of our damn business" column:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3145036&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos1

[Turtleboy]

Lute has chosen to make his private life public. He has published an autobiography. If he did not want public scrutiny, why tell his life story to the world?

http://www.amazon.com/Lute-Seasons-My-Life-Olson/dp/031235942X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197131223&sr=1-1

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

What Throaty said. Bless his heart.
Love, Ima

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

I may never post again!:D
Love, Ima

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

That didn't last long:mad:

[ArkieDukie]

In the game against Arizona in the '90-'91 season, Greg Koubek hit a three-point shot at some point in the game (probably late in regulation) and when the commercial break ended the officials had changed the 3-point shot to a 2-point shot, with no explanation. Regulation ended in a tie, and Duke lost in 2-OTs, 103-96.

I remember being outraged at the initial point downgrading (and I'm actually a pretty fair-minded individual when it comes to things like "unfair" officiating, etc...), especially when the announcers showed replays of the shot in question and Greg's foot was clearly behind the three-point line.

Maybe that has something to do with the K/Lute deal.


The shot in question was very near the end of regulation and gave Duke the lead. There was a commercial break a couple of minutes later, and we had a 1 pt lead going into it. After the commercial break the game was tied. IIRC, Coach K filed an official complaint about this incident the following week. I believe that's also when we stopped playing them.

[Jumbo]

A number of mods have discussed this, and this thread is becoming embarrassing. Not everyone has behaved badly here, but there are enough rotten apples to spoil the bunch.
Anytime you need to end a post with, "ps. I am well aware that my interest in this makes me a bad person. I came to terms with me being fundamentally "bad" long ago, so don't carp at me. I don't care about other peoples' feelings," you shouldn't have posted it in the first place.

Anytime you post something like, "Fooling a-round. Clap, clap clap clap clap. Fooling a-round. Clap, clap clap clap clap. Fooling a-round. Clap, clap clap clap clap," you need to seriously reevaluate your sense of humor.

I thought DBR's posters could rise above cheap insults and speculation about someone's personal life, the kind of which we decry when other boards focus that energy toward Duke. I guess I was wrong.