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College coaches are probably paid too much, especially when you consider how much—nothing—players make. John Calipari just got a deal for $36.5 million. Jim Calhoun resents being asked about why he's the highest-paid state employee of Connecticut. More »
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It's safe to say that the last couple years of Lute Olson's life have been difficult. Health problems and a nasty public divorce led him to miss most of last season on the bench at Arizona and walk out on his team just before this one began. But it seems that the split from his wife, Christine, is even crazier—and scarier—than we thought. More »
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See update below ... Late yesterday, Lute Olson finally made it official—he's dunzo at the University of Arizona. (That also means Dick Vitale was ... *shudder* ... correct.) Yesterday was just the latest misstep, however, in an awkward, drawn out and at times ugly exit for a legendary coach who has now spoiled two seasons for his program, leaving them in a lurch just a few very short weeks before the season begins. More »
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Still no official word from the University of Arizona on Lute Olson's alleged retirement as the head coach of the Wildcats. Perhaps that's because he decided to inform more important people first. The order of ranking goes something like this—insane color commentator, then the assistant coaches, then the families of the high school kids you are recruiting, your ex-wife, the mailman, the guy who runs the wax dispenser down at the car wash ... then if there's time, you tell your team and maybe your employers. It's important that you respect the process. More »
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ESPN's Dick Vitale reported on the SportsCenter this morning that Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson is stepping down because of failing health and that Arizona will "conduct a national search" for a new coach. Olson did miss practice yesterday and also failed to show up at an annual Rotary Club of Tuscon luncheon for the first time in 18 years due to "health related reasons," otherwise known as "not feeling well." However, the Sports Information Office at the University of Arizona told Deadspin that it's "just a report by Dick Vitale" and "there's nothing to it." So... who's full of it? There's been no follow up or corroboration on ESPN or ESPN.com as of yet, but we'll keep an eye on it. Developing! UPDATE: U of A denies to the report to ESPN as well. More »
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The University of Arizona has its long-standing head basketball coach back on the bench, but he apparently upped his prickliness quotient during his season-long leave of absence . First order of business? Fire the guy who kept the ship afloat while you were gone. Kevin O'Neill, who was at one point penciled in as permanent head coach if the Silver Fox couldn't get his silvery shit together, was given these favorable options from Olson: More »
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Arizona's basketball team is playing in Champaign Chicago right now without head coach, and that's something they'll have to get used to. Responding to mounting pressure from the media and within his own program Lute Olson announced that he won't return to the team this season, and now we know why. More »
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Legendary Arizona Wildcats coach Lute Olson surprised everyone with yesterday's announcement that he's leaving the team for an undisclosed amount of time, effective immediately. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=318828&view=rss&microfeed=true Best wishes go to University of Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson, who is taking a leave of absence from coaching. He isn't saying why, but Chris McCosky is pretty sure it's not because of a dirt bike. [Arizona Republic] More »
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