Lute Olson Leaving Arizona. Gaddy To Follow?
By Bruin Basketball Report
The Silver Fox Leaving Arizona...Again.
Lute Olson is stepping down as head coach of the Wildcats.
“This was not a decision that was made lightly,” Olson said in a news release. “I’ve had a wonderful run at the University of Arizona. I leave with a great sense of pride in what we have accomplished here.”
Olson, 74 years-old, compiled a career record of 780-280. He coached his Wildcats to the Final Four in 1988, 1994, 1997 and 2001, winning the 1997 NCAA championship.
Associate head coach Mike Dunlap will reportedly be named interim head coach for the rest of this season.
Olson took a leave of absence last year, citing personnel reasons. At the time the team was taken over by Kevin O'Neill, then associate head coach, who was introduced subsequent to Olson's leave as the choice as his eventual successor. However due to an apparent falling out between the two, O'Neill left the program over the summer.
Since announcing his return to the Wildcat head coaching job, Olson had been successful in convincing star Chase Budinger to returning for his junior season. On the recruiting end, Bellarmine Prep star guard Abdul Gaddy chose to re-commit to Arizona, citing he had always wanted to play for Coach Olson.
With the departure of Olson before the November national letter of intent signing period, Gaddy now has the opportunity to weigh his collegiate options once again.
Prior to verbally committing to Arizona over the summer, Gaddy had also been considering UCLA, Memphis, and Washington.
UCLA already has a star-studded 2009 class of forwards Reeves Nelson, Brendan Lane, Tyler Honeycutt, and center Anthony Stover, and the addition of the five-star Gaddy would help complete the class.
The Bruins are still pursuing guard Michael Snaer, however, his recruitment has taken some time, and perhaps Gaddy, a player who can play both the point and shooting guard positions may be a better fit for the Bruins in their future plans.
Gaddy and his family told the Tucscon Citizen newspaper this afternoon that they are considering all options at this point.
(photo credit: Seattle PI)
BBR :: Article Link :: 11:34 AM ::
21 comments
21 Comments:
guess it may have been snaer who might have miscalculated on this one. playing coy with UCLA only to possibly have the gadmeister sneak in. whoa boy!
Gaddy is good as gold at UCLA. Book it!
i at least expect things to turn QUICKLY if Snaer has any serious thoughts about ucla. I'm sure the Lee/Anderson/Drew jr scenario is familiar to Snaer.
Ah man... this is huge. Keep the streak of out-of-state players coming to UCLA going! SWEET!
On a side note - I have ALWAYS hated Arizona - why? Because they were good, Lute's haircut was always perfect, and that STUPID Wildcat roar they play during home games after EVERY basket AZ makes. But Lute was good for the Pac-10 and the UCLA vs AZ games were always the best. Although I could not stand Lute and his perfect haircut - I did respect him. Now, WOW, what a fall from grace. He really messed up that situation. If health related, I'm very sorry for the man and wish him the best, but if I could recognize the signs from outside the program, the school should have stepped in a couple years ago.
there's a pretty scathing article on ESPN by Pat Forde contrasting Lute's exit and that of John Wooden. It's really a shame to see him end things in this fashion. I am sure there is more to this story than what is being told publicly, and as such I wish Coach Olsen all the best as he has been a real class act throughout his tenure at AZ.
gotta get gaddy
Olsen - a class act? HA... did you hear how he treated the O'Neil situation last year? Totally unprofessional and unacceptable!
my fatty red carpet is rolled for YOU, MR. ABDUL GADDY...
the cheerleaders are waiting...
we forgive you for your first two mistakes w/ Arizona....UCLA has more to offer than those other schools (Coach BH, tradition, weather, girls, etc.)...if u r good, come compete and take your game to another level...
Bruin Nation...November 3rd is around the corner!!! Have an excellent Friday.
I agree with the comment 2 above regarding Olsen NOT AS A CLASS ACT. In addition to the O'Neil situation, the timing of Olsen's "2nd leaving" could not have been worse concerning as far as his old and new players are concerned (but it's great for UCLA ;o)). Those poor kids trusted Olsen and he turned his back on them. Yes, if health related, not much he could do - but on the flip side, the signs were obvious and it's not like any of this is new. He could have left the program at the end of last year, allowed Chase to enter the NBA, and given the new recuits a chance to look at other schools.
I have been hearing rumors that Snaer's interest has shifted primarily toward Florida St. where he can be the star of the program and be a one-and-done. Also, is it true that because of Gaddy's age he would not even be eligible to enter the draft after his first year of college? Can any of this be confirmed?
Yes, Gaddy will be too young to enter the draft as a freshman. Two year min. in college. That's the biggest reason he may pull out of Zona. Who knows who will be coaching there next year.
I would take Gaddy over Snaer for 1 year in a heartbeat. The fact that he has to play 2 years makes him that much more appealing.
De-commit from UA already and help us hang some banners in Pauley.
What's the scoop on Gaddy BBR?
Change time for Gaddy,
come West young laddy,
Start college anew,
in gold and powder blue,
Retract and refresh,
vacate that mess,
Cum ride along with Jrue,
cuz when he's through,
Doin' his NBA dream,
this'll be your team!
BRUINS...
So Olsen is a baddy
And he treats you like a caddy
You don't need to be his paddy
Disrespected you, had he?
But hey, Mr. Gaddy
Lute Olsen's not your daddy
So don't be a saddy
Become a Bruin, my talented laddy
The above rap has been nominated for the most lame and pathetic piece of prose by the MTV academy of voters. For those wanting to chime in, please contact www.yousuckbigtime.com. Thank you.
Gaddy:
Go watch the Lakers vs. Thunder game tonight... you'll see three UCLA point gards in Farmar, Watson, and Westbrook, and a SF in Ariza... where will you be three years from now?
Anyway, wherever you decide to go, you'll have our best wishes.
Does anyone know what the real story is in Tucson?He gets rid of Rosborough and brings in O'Neill as the new head coach designate. Josh Pastner leaves for Memphis. Why did Lute really take a leave of absence last year?! First it was the divorce, then the health situation. Then he comes back. Now he retires at the worst possible time. No one is reporting on the real story because Lute is so highly revered and respected. However, lthe last 2 years in Tucson have beena total and complete mess. I want to know what's really going on! U of A basketball is dead. Herb Sendek at ASU is now the King of Arizona. How about Bobby Knight as the next U of A coach? It wasn't too long ago that Arizona and Stanford were the premier programs in the Pac-10 with Washington and Oregon on the rise. Now there's a total shift. UCLA and ASU will be the top 2 teams in the league this year, as UCLA remains the top program in the PAc-10, Cal is on the rise with Monty at the helm, USC remains strong for now,(until the OJ Mayo thing comes down on their head), and WSU is doing very well.
According to ESPN on late Sunday night, "It's official: Abdul Gaddy decommits - The University of Arizona lost its last class of 2009 recruit on Sunday when ESPNU 100 point guard Abdul Gaddy decided to re-open his recruitment, according to the Arizona Daily Star. Gaddy's father, Abdul Sr., told the paper the uncertainty with the coaching staff led to his son's decision. "There's just a lot of instability," Gaddy Sr. said. "At this time, it's better for both parties to move forward."
Let's make a strong push to recruit Abdul Gaddy. We do not want to let this chance to be run away on the third time.
Robwash not feeling the vibe,
so he starts on his jive
that do us no good,
focus on the Bruins he should
don't marinate on negativity,
or putdown others creativity
cut pugnacity at the root,
so try to follow suit
no place for that here,
only Bruin admiration and cheer
Hey BruMaster how about this one (it's negative but I think a positive around here):
Tommy is the name of the other school's horse,
Most of their athletes can't even complete a course.
They recruit thugs and self-centered fools,
But buttlicks like Keith Jackson would think I'm being too cruel.
Yet I can't think of one Bruin that could display,
Murderer or armed robbery on their resume.
When I think of Trojan a condom comes to mind,
Which they use on their cheerleaders with a pump and a grind.
The Galen Center brings in players with illegal bucks,
Nothin' else to say but SC
SUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKKS!
So can I scratch some records at your next DJ gig? Hell I'll even bring the malt liquor...
6 days!!......the wait is almost over!
Brew In...........Word!!!
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