by The GM on December 18 at 11:40AM
In a new turn of events, the University of Arizona has announced that Assistant Coach/Interim Coach, Kevin O'Neill, will be Lute Olson's successor when he decides to step down.
The school also announced that Olson will receive his full pay while on personal leave. I think that is a classy move by the school.
I think that by naming O'Neill as Olson's successor is a good thing, because now recruits know exactly who is going to be coaching and they won't have to worry about a coach leaving or a new one coming in.
O'Neill has coached the team to a 7-2 record so far this season, with big come from behind wins against Texas A&M and Illinois. The two Wildcat losses are to Virginia and Kansas in overtime.
The 21st ranked Wildcats still have games at UNLV, at home against San Diego State, and at Memphis before they get into Pac-10 play. The conference season will be a tough one with so many teams having improved over the last few seasons.
The school also announced that Olson will receive his full pay while on personal leave. I think that is a classy move by the school.
I think that by naming O'Neill as Olson's successor is a good thing, because now recruits know exactly who is going to be coaching and they won't have to worry about a coach leaving or a new one coming in.
O'Neill has coached the team to a 7-2 record so far this season, with big come from behind wins against Texas A&M and Illinois. The two Wildcat losses are to Virginia and Kansas in overtime.
The 21st ranked Wildcats still have games at UNLV, at home against San Diego State, and at Memphis before they get into Pac-10 play. The conference season will be a tough one with so many teams having improved over the last few seasons.
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Comments
I would hope he comes back after his divorce is finalized. It could work two ways:
1) He'll feel the need to get back into coaching, because that is what coaches do...they coach.
2) He'll feel the need to step away from the game because he might enjoy getting away from the schedule of college sports.
This is good news in that recruits will not have to worry about Olsen leaving and them "being stuck" with a different coach. I hope this doesn't mean that Olsen will not be returning....