2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Olson to return
Men's basketball coach has been on leave since Nov. 4; O'Neill unsure of future with team
By: Michael Schwartz
Issue date: 3/11/08 Section: News
Kevin O'Neill has spent the season as the caretaker of the UA men's basketball program. Now the owner is coming home.
The UA announced yesterday that head coach Lute Olson would return to his post in April, after taking a season-long leave of absence.
Olson said in a press release that his leave was necessitated "by a medical condition that was not life-threatening, but serious enough to require time away from my coaching responsibilities."
However, in a Nov. 4 release Olson had said, "It isn't a health scare but rather a personal matter that needs my undivided attention."
In the meantime Olson has filed for divorce from his wife, Christine, and the Wildcats have played through an up-and-down season that has left them in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 24 years, a streak that covers all but Olson's first season at the UA.
"I am very eager to be back doing what I love, which is coaching this team,"
Olson said in the statement. "I appreciate everyone's support during this period and want to thank Kevin O'Neill for the great job he's done in my absence."
Added UA athletic director Jim Livengood, "We are delighted that Lute will be rejoining the program. He is one of the true legends of collegiate coaching, and his return is something that I know will be embraced by everyone who cares about our basketball program."
Olson and Livengood were not available for further comment, although Livengood will hold a press conference this morning.
Olson's return, which O'Neill expects to officially happen when the season ends, puts the interim head coach's future with the program in doubt.
O'Neill had been named Olson's successor-in-waiting on Dec. 18, but O'Neill said yesterday he will do what he always does in evaluating his options and making decisions after the season.
National reports have questioned whether the duo can co-exist, as Olson favors a free-flowing offense while O'Neill likes to run more set plays. Also, Olson mixes in some zone defense while O'Neill plays a strictly man-to-man scheme.
The UA announced yesterday that head coach Lute Olson would return to his post in April, after taking a season-long leave of absence.
Olson said in a press release that his leave was necessitated "by a medical condition that was not life-threatening, but serious enough to require time away from my coaching responsibilities."
However, in a Nov. 4 release Olson had said, "It isn't a health scare but rather a personal matter that needs my undivided attention."
In the meantime Olson has filed for divorce from his wife, Christine, and the Wildcats have played through an up-and-down season that has left them in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 24 years, a streak that covers all but Olson's first season at the UA.
"I am very eager to be back doing what I love, which is coaching this team,"
Olson said in the statement. "I appreciate everyone's support during this period and want to thank Kevin O'Neill for the great job he's done in my absence."
Added UA athletic director Jim Livengood, "We are delighted that Lute will be rejoining the program. He is one of the true legends of collegiate coaching, and his return is something that I know will be embraced by everyone who cares about our basketball program."
Olson and Livengood were not available for further comment, although Livengood will hold a press conference this morning.
Olson's return, which O'Neill expects to officially happen when the season ends, puts the interim head coach's future with the program in doubt.
O'Neill had been named Olson's successor-in-waiting on Dec. 18, but O'Neill said yesterday he will do what he always does in evaluating his options and making decisions after the season.
National reports have questioned whether the duo can co-exist, as Olson favors a free-flowing offense while O'Neill likes to run more set plays. Also, Olson mixes in some zone defense while O'Neill plays a strictly man-to-man scheme.
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