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Hall of Fame college basketball coach Lute Olson dies at 85

By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Coaching legend Lute Olson dies Lute Olson built the University of Arizona into a basketball powerhouse and won a national title in 1997. ( Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson, who built the University of Arizona basketball program into a powerhouse, has died. his family said. He was 85.

Olson’s death was confirmed by his son, Greg Olson, KOLD reported.

Olson compiled a 589-187 record at Arizona and led the Wildcats to four Final Four appearances, ESPN reported. Arizona won the national title and made 23 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats also won 11 Pac-10 conference titles.

Olson’s overall record in 34 seasons as a university coach was 776-285.

Born in Mayville, North Dakota, Olson began his career coaching high school teams in Minnesota and California, KGUN reported.

In 1969 he became the head coach at Long Beach City College, compiling a 103-22 record over four seasons and winning the 1971 Junior College Championship. In 1973 Olson moved to Long Beach State, where he led the team to a 24-2 mark.

Olson coached at the University of Iowa for nine years beginning in 1974 and led the Hawkeyes to the Final Four in 1980, KGUN reported.

Olson came to Arizona three years later and had his greatest success with the Wildcats program.

Olson was inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. A statue of the coach was erected outside the McKale Memorial Center in 2018, ESPN reported.



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