Goodbye Robert Luther Olson, Thank you.

The reactions, though not surprising, about Lute Olson have been very mixed. Unfortunately, one of the majority opinions is that Lute Olson handled this terribly and should have just stayed retired after last seasons leave of absence. I completely understand this thought and theory and whole-heartedly agree that his return and abrupt exit less than three weeks to tip-off is not good. That Arizona is now floundering going into the season. The fact that it happened on Homecoming weekend and the fact that it happened 48 hours after saying he was revitalized and energized.

This definitely was a terrible way to handle this. The UA alumni, fans, and faithful (namely me) deserve better than this and above all the players and UA staff deserved better than this. But don't blame Lute. Robert Luther may have handled this poorly but it was the right decision. He is not physically or mentally there anymore. I'm not suggestion he has Parkinson's or Alzheimer's (I'm sure those are not the issues he's been dealing with) I'm just suggesting that he is 74 years old, has been a Division I coach since 1973 and has been the driving force in Arizona Basketball for the last 25 years. That takes a toll on someone. It asks a lot out of people.

People have been saying that Paterno and Bowden (81 and 78) should step down for a few years now, but people are in a rage when Lute Olson needs to take a year off and proceeds to step down. Well besides the fact that they are all in the same age range coaching basketball at a high level takes a lot more out of someone than football. First of all Lute will be coaching at a high energy level for 3 times as many games NOT including the high stress NCAA Tournament. Rather than traveling 5-7 times over the course of a season and post-season, Lute will be traveling at least 14 times, again more if you include the tense post-season.

Energy levels are huge in basketball coaching, there is no press box to sit in and coach from. Lute is on the sidelines running, jumping, and screaming. So let's think about this, think of a 74 year old that you know and ask whether or not you think they would be able to travel that much, run that much, and coach at a high level in a very compacted season. So get off of Lute for retiring, hell I would say he earned it. And I know what you are saying, then why did he commit to coming back for another year if he knew he couldn't handle it. There are two reasons.

1) He loves Arizona Basketball and wants nothing but success for them. With him taking the year off last year Arizona Basketball got a preview of what Arizona Basketball A.L. would be like, and it wasn't pretty. He saw what Arizona Basketball would be like without him and he didn't like it. Players leaving for Europe, players de-commiting, scholarship offers (from KO) to players who didn't deserve to be Wildcats, and a sub 20 win season. As someone who loves Arizona Basketball more than even you or me, or Randle, Lute Olson didn't want to sit by and watch that. In April when he decided to come back, he knew that the only thing that would take this program back to where it was, was his return. He announced that he no longer wanted to deal with the one and done players, and he went out and got Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill, and Nic Wise to return. He got Soloman Hill and Abdul Gaddy to commit/re-commit. The Silver Fox was back. That's why he announced months ago that he would be coming back, he told everyone, as recently as last week, that he was ready to take the Cats back to the Promised Land. But...

2)...he didn't have the energy, physical, or mental ability to be there as a coach. He could have come back, coached from the bench, been half hearted, and been JoePa from the Press Box. Lute is too proud for that. He wanted, really wanted to come back and coach Arizona back to the Final Four. Not for his glory or the payday, but because the Cats deserve that, Arizona fans deserve that, after last season. He knew that he needed to be the person to do it. He went into practice last week a new man. Re-energized and revitalized but he realized (and honestly better now than on November 7) that he might be energized right now, he might be able to be the Silver Fox that we all know and love....for 2 maybe 3 months. But the travel, the tournaments, the planning, the practicing, the coaching, the always present off-court issues, the questions all season about how long he would be there and how he was feeling, and the questions about his bitter divorce (which I still say should have remained private and shame on all of those, especially local area "journalists" who dragged it all out into public) not to mention the toll of recruiting. He realized as early as possible that he didn't have it anymore. On Tuesday he had to deal with questions and a press conference, then on Wednesday he woke up and he didn't have the energy to go to practice or the Rotary Club Preseason meeting he had attended for over 20 years, consecutively. Wednesday night it became very clear, that he didn't have the energy.

How it was handled from there can only be partially put on him. He should have gone immediately to the Arizona Athletics Department, but he didn't. Whether it was the fact that he wanted more time, or didn't want to interrupt Homecoming weekend, or to allow to his speaking to the team first at a Thursday practice. Somehow, someone close to him caught word and it spread to the point that he had to come out with it in a less than respectful manor.

It's the blessing and the curse of having a program with such a legend at its' epicenter. Recruiting will struggle, and the team will struggle without Lute. I for one wish Lute nothing but the best, Thank you Coach O for the last Quarter Century, Thank you for turning Arizona into a power. Bear Down and Go Cats.

More after the jump...

Coaching Alternatives

I know it has been a while since I last graced you all with my presence. Been traveling a whole lot recently, in the last 2 weeks alone I've put over 1000 miles on the truck and have gotten a few thousand frequent flier miles. Of course when I get back to the office I've got loads of past work to deal with, but that stack will have to wait a while because it's time for me to get back to those who love...like...enjoy....tolerate...skim my articles while looking for something better (usually pictures of bikini clad models or athletes) but today I am writing about the, still unconfirmed, reports of Lute Olson's departure from the University of Arizona. The Hall of Famer has reportedly, though only known through sources, stepped down immediately as the Head Coach, 20 wins shy of 800.

I could spend hours going through the amazing-ness that was the Silver Fox's Hall of Fame Career, and probably will later. From the highs (Miles Simon and th 1997 Champions) to the lows (firing Kevin O'Neill and Miles Simon and the 07-08 debacle) but we've got more pressing matters at hand. Who will replace Coach O?

According to the many reports surfacing, by the second, and multiple personal sources (Randle is one, a PR official is another) within Arizona's AD office (apparently the phones are going off the hook) all accounts show that Lute's replacement could very vell be Assistant Coach Mike Dunlap. Dunlap has been on many staffs of recent including the 36ers of Australia's National Basketball League as well as the Head Coach of the Metro State Roadrunners of Division II, where he won 2 National Championships. Most recently, however, Dunlap could be seen with the USA under 18 team and on George Karl's staff in Denver. But I think we all know he is most likely a stop-gap solution in the wake of this breaking news and our Kitty Kats are going to need some serious firepower to fill in the gigantic clown shoes of Lute Olson. I firmly believe in keeping it in the family, so here are a handful of viable options with UA ties to take over for Robert Luther.

Miles Simon:

UA player 1994-1998, 1997 NCAA MOP, 2005-2008 UA Assistant Coach

Coach Simon was released by the U of A Athletics Department following last season. This was a controversial effort many thought was specifically to bring in new assistant coaches this past off-season. Some thing a major reasons was to hire Russ Pennell who's son Matt happens to be a top Arizona recruit. With all of the uncertainty surrounding the Arizona basketball program recently, planting a familar Wildcat face is the driver's seat is definately an option for the Arizona ADs. Hell you can still find Miles Simon jersey's for sale some places.

Bob Dole:

UA Student 1948-1951, US Senator 1969-1996, Viagra pitchman 1999

Lute Olson had all the trappings of a politician over the last few years while coach at Arizona so why not just skip all of that and go straight to an actual politician to run the team. Screw the new $14 million training facility, Bob Dole will take his teams to work out at Bear Down gym, using the same rusted weights and torn benches that other famous Arizona Athletes have used throughout the years. Back in the 50s before the was a McKale center. Bob Dole will bring back the tenacity of yesteryear. He will also help some of the youngsters with the use of their left hand, since he doesn't have the use of his right hand. He will also work on these youngsters ability to post up, and draw the foul:



Denise Austin

UA gymnast 1975-1977, Member of President's Council on Fitness and Sports 2002-Present

I think we all know Denise Austin, whether its from flipping through the channels on mornings when you're ditching class or playing hooky at work, you've no doubt seen her happily jumping and stretching to motivate the static housewives of America. She could help the UA team with their fitness levels and flexibility. She might not be able to work with Chase on his shooting, but wouldn't it be nice if she could help Jordan Hill to be a little more flexible and light on his feet to avoid so many fouls in the lane? They might not win a National Championship with her leading the way but they won't be as tired and breathing heavy late in the games. Plus wouldn't it be fun to replace Lute with a woman who looks exactly like his ex and future wives?

Jerry Bruckheimer

UA Student 1963-1968, Box Office Legend

True, he knows next to nothing about coaching or physical fitness in any way. I'm not doubting that but name someone else with the midas touch. Everything he touches turns to gold. Why not let the guy try to direct players on and off the court. You're telling me the guy who took a hardly known Martin Lawrence and a slightly more known Will Smith and put them in a blockbuster buddy cop movie couldn't get Jeff Withey to put on a few more pounds? I highly doubt it. Don't forget this is the guys who took a 4'9" Tom Cruise and made him a fighter pilot, then took an almost identical plot and made him a racecar driver, he took goofy Nicolas Cage and made him into a tough guy (The Rock, Gone in Sixty Seconds, the National Treasure series), run down his list he made Orlando Bloom look like a bad ass in the Pirates series, and Josh Hartnett look like a bonafide military man (Pearl Harbor, Black Hawk Down), and I could keep going on. But I think the main reasons Bruckheimer would fit. Glory Road and Remember the Titans.

Geraldo Rivera

UA Student and Lacrosse Goalie 1963-1966

Geraldo, probably best known for his mustache was also once known for roaming the Mall in Tucson and attending football games at Arizona Stadium. The man has brass balls and has reported from war zones plenty of times. He would bring the toughness, and facial hair, that Arizona has been lacking. Besides he doesn't need a greaseboard and markers just a patch of dirt and his fingers and he will diagram up the winning play.

Robert Sarver

UA Student 1978-1982, Founder Bank of Arizona, Majority owner Phoenix Suns

Now I'm not sure if this could be considered a conflict of interest but why not just let Sarver coach the team, sure he might not have been the coach of the Suns during their recent stretch of success but he has probably picked up a lot. Plus, he could always have those guys make the trip down to Tucson to practice against the Cats. Afterall, you don't get to be the best until you play against the best. That level of competition would be nice and I'm sure that Steve Nash could teach the guys down here a thing or two. He could bring Steve Kerr (UA Alum) onto his staff, plus I'm pretty sure he still gets discounts at the Four Points on Speedway across from Trident, after all his dad built it. The players could just stay there all the time, that's way better than the dorms, that's a pretty good recruitment tool. Plus, he could always use some connections he has to better a players chances at making the next step.

Craig T. Nelson

UA Student 1962-1966, Minnesota State Screamin Eagles Coach

I would have to go back to the records but Hayden Fox was the Head Coach of Minnesota State for nearly a decade, maybe longer, and even led his team to a win in the Pioneer Bowl over West Texas and the Pineapple Bowl over Southern Texas Wranglers. He went on to be the first Head Coach of the expansion Orlando Breakers. He has plenty of experience being a Head Coach (which none of the others posses), he is a U of A Alum, and he already has Luther and Dauber as his assistants. He also had some experience motivating and teaching a pair of figure skaters who were at one time dreaded rivals. He also has a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do and had the balls to kick Tom Cruise off of his team when he was coaching. He doesn't put up with midgets back talking to him.

All in all it will be sad to see Lute go, and despite his attempts at pulling a Favre and taking down his legacy in a short span after a Hall of Fame career. I, for one, will miss Lute roaming the sidelines. I urge the Arizona Athletics Department to follow my lead and keep it in the family.

More after the jump...

Say it ain't so....

The biggest development in the history of Wildcat sports is happening as we speak. In what can only be described as earth shattering, shaking and quaking news Arizona Basketball coach Lute Olson is expected to announce tomorrow that he will retire from coaching.

As is now being reported on ESPN.com and other major media outlets Lute Olson is retiring effective immediatley. Due to unspecified health issue Lute is stepping down and Associate Head Coach Mike Dunlap is being named interim Head Coach. Sources inside the athletic department have said that a national search will begin immediatley to fill the position.

More after the jump...

Coach To Cure MD: Help Raise Money for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This Saturday is going to be a one day event called Coach to Cure MD in order to raise money for Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy. Parent Project Muscle Dystrophy is teaming up with the American Football Coach’s Association to help raise awareness and funds to help the cause. Currently there are 2,675 coaches from 204 colleges in the United States and an estimated 10,000 coaches worldwide that will be participating.

Arizona is one of the schools that will be doing their part, however, the organization is looking to raise $10,000 per school and sadly Arizona has raised only $35.00.

Donating is simple. Probably the easiest way to donate is by texting “CURE” to 90999. The text will cost you $5 which will go directly the to the campaign. You can also donate online directly, or even sponsor a tailgate this Saturday.

The total goal of the campaign is $500,000 and three days before the event only $111,605 has been raised. I encourage everyone to make a donation and be a part of a good cause. All schools are represented, and you can visit the website for your school’s information as well as more resources regarding the campaign.

http://www.coachtocuremd.org
More after the jump...

Arizona Injury Update: Week 8

The Wildcats quietly had three players injured during Saturday’s game against Cal, but no word yet on the severity or their playing status.

Without a doubt the biggest concern is Mike Thomas, Arizona’s top wide receiver. Thomas left the locker room following the game with a walking boot over on his right foot. Finley of azstar.net reported that the team told him that he had some tissue swelling around his foot and ankle, and that it was a precaution. The injury appeared to occur before the end of the first half when Thomas was hit coming back for a pass and had to be helped off the field. He returned to play in the second half, and when asked about his probability for Saturday’s match up against USC Thomas said:

Ain't nothing going to stop me, I'm there.

Sound promising, but is still something that will still be in the back of the Cat’s minds.

Thomas’s Season Stats: 42 Rec 569 YDS 4 TD
Against Cal: 6 Rec 104 YDS 1 TD

Also leaving the locker room in a boot was defensive tackle Kaniela Tuipulotu (Ka-nee-ah-lah Too-ee-poo-lo-too in case you were wondering) who had apparently injured his left ankle in the game.

The third Cat to suffer an injury against the Bears was wide receiver Delashaun Dean, who showed signs of a shoulder injury throughout the day Saturday.

Dean’s Season Stats: 30 Rec 310 YDS 2 TD
Against Cal: 2 Rec 21 YDS

There has been no official word whether or not these injuries are going to keep them out of Saturday’s game, but here is hoping that over the week they are back to 100%.

More after the jump...

Homecoming 2008: Tailgating Changes

In an effort to keep the Homecoming crowd from trying to sprint a marathon the University has changed some of their tailgating rules for this weekend. Below is the new schedule and policy update that was released earlier today.

Quoted directly from the Arizona Athletics website.

1:00 p.m. Tailgate parking/loading on Eastbound University off of Cherry. Alcohol cannot be consumed until 2:00 p.m.

2:30 – 4:30 p.m. Cherry Ave will be closed to all traffic in preparation for the Homecoming Parade. (No tailgaters will be allowed to enter the Tailgating grounds under any circumstances during this time). There is no tailgate line during this time.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Homecoming Parade

4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Tailgaters with valid permits only may enter the tailgating grounds.

7:15 p.m. Kick-off

We will continue to enforce the rules about waiting for another tailgater to park next to you as well as requesting certain spots. It is a first-come first serve pass and you will be parked based on the order you arrive. Regardless of when your vehicle is parked on the tailgate grounds, alcohol consumption may not begin until 2:00 pm.

No one that I talked to had heard about this yet, and granted it was released today but thought this might help get the word out some.


Find more photos like this on Wildcat Sports Forum


Also, we want any pictures and videos from the weekend that you guys want to send our way. So drop us a line.




More after the jump...

Arizona-USC: Things To Keep In Mind

The Wildcats are coming off a big win against previously ranked No. 25 Cal, which has put them in a four-way tie for first place in the Pac-10. Oregon, Oregon State, Arizona, and USC are all currently sitting at 3-1, but from where I’m sitting, Arizona and USC are sitting on top.

Everyone knows about USC’s prowess, influence in the polls, and overall program prestige. What you aren’t hearing is that Arizona is so confident in their squad that our Wildcats know that they are playing for the Pac-10 Championship this weekend.

What should you know about this weekend’s matchup between USC and Arizona?

First of all, the Cats match up very well against the Trojans and as of late have played them tough.

Hard to believe?

2007: Arizona travels to LA to take on No. 10 USC.

Tuitama, in his first year in Dykes' system, completed 30-43 passes for 233 yards and no interceptions or touchdowns. Sanchez completed 19-31 for 130 yards, one TD, and two INTs.

Neither running game was spectacular for either squad, and both have improved immensely from last year. As is the case with most Arizona losses, it simply came down to mental errors.

It is tough to win a game against a team like the Trojans of '07 when you lose three fumbles and only rush for 22 total yards. That’s what the Cats did, and that is why they narrowly missed pulling the upset.

Total yards for Arizona were 255 and 276 for USC.

The Trojans won 20-13.

Second of all, the Trojans have to come into to Tucson on Homecoming. Arizona has a history of upsetting in big games, especially when they have sellout crowds like this weekend will be.

In case you already forgot:

2005: Arizona 52, No. 7 UCLA 14
2006: Arizona 24, No. 8 Cal 20
2007: Arizona 34, No. 2 Oregon 24

Keep it in mind as this week goes on. I don’t think that this game is as unevenly matched as most people think. USC, you are officially on upset watch.

More as the week goes on...

More after the jump...

Recruiting update

The Wildcats big win over Cal and 5-2 start seems to be paying dividends in the recruiting game. The Wildcats recieved two commitments in the last two days and have been put on notice that they will recieve another one this weekend.


First to committ was JC Cornerback Marcus Benjamin from Arizona Western College. The 6'1 200lb Benjamin runs a 4.5 40 and has 4 interceptions in the 4 games he has played so far this sesaon. Benjamin was signed to play for LSU as a prep in 2005 but failed to qualify academically. The best part of this is that we get a fast, hard hitting DB and we beat asuCKS for his services.

The Second Commitment was 6'4 275lb Glendale Cactus OL Chris Putton. Putton is regarded by many as the top OL in Arizona in the class of 2009 and was heavily recruited by a number of schools. Again in this recruiting battle we beat asuCKS for this young mans services.

Lastly it has been widely reported that Daniel Jenkins, the #12 all-purpose back and #31 player in the state of California regardless of position, has gone on record with rivals.com saying that he would be committing to the Wildcats this weekend on his official visit. This would be a huge get for us as he is being heavily pursued by a number of the elite programs in college football.

The fact of the matter is that this weekends game against USC is going to be huge for recruiting and a win would catapult us to the top of many prospects lists.
More after the jump...

Impact Freshman at it again

Keola Antolin step on up and get your prize...You are the PAC-10 Offensive Player of the Week! After an amazing performance leading the way to victory over Cal which included 237 all-purpose yards in Arizona's 42-27 win against No. 25-ranked California. Antolin rushed 21 times for 149 yards (7.1) and three touchdowns, added a reception for nine yards and had four kickoff returns for 79 yards to account for the 237 all-purpose yards. This is Antolins 1st Offensive Player of the Week award, but his second overall award having earned Special Teams Player of the Week award in the second week of the season.

It should be noted that Devin Ross was one of the finalists for the Defensive Player of the Week award and Jason Bondzio was a finalist for the Special Teams Player of the Week award.



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More after the jump...

Arizona vs. Cal Preview

Arizona will go up against the Cal Golden Bears this Saturday in what we had all thought was going to be a huge game as far as Pac-10 standings were concerned. It wasn’t but a week ago that we were already looking ahead to being 5-1 and facing a team that might be our only obstacle in the Pac-10 other than USC. Unfortunately, we are now sitting at 4-2 and seemingly have more on the line than we had thought.

Here is a quick paper match up of the game:
Team Scoring:
Arizona: #9 with 40.2 ppg
California: #12 with 39.4 ppg

Total Yards per Game:
Arizona: #32: 425.5
California: #33: 418.4

Team Rushing:
Arizona: #55 with 154.8 ypg
California: #35 with 180 ypg

Team Passing:
Arizona: #23 with 258.3 ypg
California: #47 with 231.6 ypg

Team Defense:
Arizona: 16.7 ppg, 261.5 ypg
California: 18 ppg, 290.6 ypg

What did we learn from the Stanford game? We are not immune to the running game. Our Cats gave up over a hundred yards each to Gerhart and Kimble last week when they had previously not given up a lot more than a hundred total rushing yards in game. The biggest reason why this has to be priority one for the Wildcats is that Cal will most likely be returning Jahvid Best to their backfield. While he has missed a couple of weeks with a dislocated shoulder you still cannot overlook his big play ability. It is still unclear how much he will play, or whether or not he will be returning kicks but it would be a huge mistake to not plan on him being at full strength.

There are a couple keys to this game. First of all I was really impressed with the play of Nate Ness last weak and think that he will have as big a game this weekend. Cal is still suffering from QB woes and at the time of writing they have not announced who will be starting. Out secondary is good enough to slow the pace of this game down, and that will definitely be an obstacle for the Bears.

On offense I have full faith in Dykes system and feel as though Tuitama gets a lot of bad press for the decisions that he makes. We are only a few plays away from being 6-0, but it has always come down to mistakes at the wire. The Cats can’t afford the same mental errors late against Cal. If Tuitama is able to spread the ball around efficiently like he had been doing the majority of the season and utilize rather than rely on Gronkowski there is no doubt in my mind that we are putting the superior offensive squad on the field.

It comes down to defense, but I think our Wildcats take this game 27-17. That will put us in a position to go into Homecoming at 5-2 against USC in a game that will decide the Pac-10.

More after the jump...