Tuscon, Ariz. ? Lute Olson has retired after 24 seasons with the Arizona Wildcats.
Athletic director Jim Livengood confirmed Olson’s decision hours after news reports had started speculating about the 74-year-old Hall of Famer’s future.
Olson went 589-187 in 24 seasons at Arizona, and he led the Wildcats to the 1997 national title and four Final Fours, most recently in 2001. His 327 Pac-10 wins are a conference record.
Olson is 780-280 overall in 34 seasons as a Division I coach.
“This was not a decision that was made lightly,” Olson said in a statement released by the university on Thursday. “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.”
Speaking at a brief news conference at McKale Center, Livengood did not designate a successor – even on an interim basis. He said a national search would begin soon.
“I do not have a decision at this point in time in terms of who’s going to head our men’s basketball program,” Livengood said. “But that will be announced in the very, very short future.”
ESPN’s Dick Vitale first reported the story, saying Olson would be replaced by assistant coach Mike Dunlap, a former Denver Nuggets assistant and Metro State coach who joined the program in May. Dunlap ran practice on Thursday afternoon and declined to comment.
