Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What's Up With Lute?
A few weeks ago I blogged that I was pleased that Lute Olson announced his return to coach his Arizona Wildcats. I still am. He's a hall of fame coach who's credentials should never be questioned.
Since he originally announced in November that he was taking a leave of absence, questions and rumors have been running rampant. Things died down while assistant Kevin O'Neill led to team to their 24th consecutive NCAA appearance, albeit a short ride that lasted one game as they were ousted by West Virginia in the opening round. Then Lute announced, through U of A spokesmen, that he was reclaiming his throne and in time would explain his absence.
That brings us to April 1st, 2008 and this is no April Fools Day joke, I think. The 73 year old made it clear he took the leave for medical reasons related to stress and anxiety. He didn't elaborate. He was asked if he went into rehab for a problem. That irritated the ole coach and he snapped back that he drinks 2 glasses of wine each night on doctors orders. As an affection ado of fine wines (and even the cheap stuff on occasion) I don't see anything wrong with Olson sipping the high octane grapes. I have a problem with the flippant way he answered the rehab question. I still don't know if he went into rehab. His health and impending divorce should be personal but in this sarcastic world we live in, it seems everyone, me, you, Matt Leinart and even the great Lute Olson aren't immune to scrutiny.
I'll end by the insensitive way Lute got rid of assistant Kevin O'Neill. Earlier this week he simply said that he wouldn't step in the way if O'Neill found another job, stating that he knew Kevin wanted to be a head coach. Today he threw O'Neill under the bus and said he wouldn't be back, period, despite assurances in November that he would eventually replace Olson when he retired. Lute hasn't lost his fire, I'll give him that and he'll put another great team on the court next year by the apparent return of Jerryd Bayless and another great recruiting class.
This great coach, who seems to have put his personal life back in order, acted like an angry old man at a news conference that was designed to answer some questions and celebrate his return. I'll drink to the Lute, but don't feed me the cheap stuff. gcruz@kpho.com
Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor
Since he originally announced in November that he was taking a leave of absence, questions and rumors have been running rampant. Things died down while assistant Kevin O'Neill led to team to their 24th consecutive NCAA appearance, albeit a short ride that lasted one game as they were ousted by West Virginia in the opening round. Then Lute announced, through U of A spokesmen, that he was reclaiming his throne and in time would explain his absence.
That brings us to April 1st, 2008 and this is no April Fools Day joke, I think. The 73 year old made it clear he took the leave for medical reasons related to stress and anxiety. He didn't elaborate. He was asked if he went into rehab for a problem. That irritated the ole coach and he snapped back that he drinks 2 glasses of wine each night on doctors orders. As an affection ado of fine wines (and even the cheap stuff on occasion) I don't see anything wrong with Olson sipping the high octane grapes. I have a problem with the flippant way he answered the rehab question. I still don't know if he went into rehab. His health and impending divorce should be personal but in this sarcastic world we live in, it seems everyone, me, you, Matt Leinart and even the great Lute Olson aren't immune to scrutiny.
I'll end by the insensitive way Lute got rid of assistant Kevin O'Neill. Earlier this week he simply said that he wouldn't step in the way if O'Neill found another job, stating that he knew Kevin wanted to be a head coach. Today he threw O'Neill under the bus and said he wouldn't be back, period, despite assurances in November that he would eventually replace Olson when he retired. Lute hasn't lost his fire, I'll give him that and he'll put another great team on the court next year by the apparent return of Jerryd Bayless and another great recruiting class.
This great coach, who seems to have put his personal life back in order, acted like an angry old man at a news conference that was designed to answer some questions and celebrate his return. I'll drink to the Lute, but don't feed me the cheap stuff. gcruz@kpho.com
Gary Cruz
CBS 5 Sports Anchor
Posted at 2:47 PM by Gary Cruz
