Pac-12 mourns the loss of Arizona legend Lute Olson
"The entire Pac-12 Conference is incredibly saddened by the passing of Lute Olson and offers its condolences to his family and the University of Arizona. He is undeniably one of the greatest coaches in Conference and collegiate basketball history and his legacy on the court is surpassed only by how respected and revered he is by the Tucson, UArizona and coaching communities, and the student-athletes he devoted his life to teaching and mentoring."
- Pac-12 Conference Commissioner Larry Scott
The University of Arizona family, former student-athletes and members of the basketball community took to social media to honor their friend, coach and Wildcats' legend:
A legend.
A champion.
A Hall of Famer.A Wildcat.
Rest In Peace, Coach Olson. #RememberingLute pic.twitter.com/zjKGponK4e
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) August 28, 2020
Thank you for everything, Coach Olson.
Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/Jg0M03ZAvP
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) August 28, 2020
“He had no weaknesses as a coach.”
Sean Miller on the passing of Hall of Fame coach and basketball icon Lute Olson. #BearDown pic.twitter.com/ysLHeWS8Hq
— Arizona Basketball (@APlayersProgram) August 28, 2020
— Robert C. Robbins (@UArizonaPres) August 28, 2020
— Dave Heeke (@Dave_Heeke) August 28, 2020
Prayers and thoughts to the @APlayersProgram and @AZATHLETICS family. RIP to a basketball legend who impacted so many. pic.twitter.com/F0klSAajyF
— Sun Devil MBB (@SunDevilHoops) August 28, 2020
Our thoughts are with the family of Coach Lute Olson and @AZATHLETICS. pic.twitter.com/2ezpJD7ht0
— UCLA Men’s Basketball (@UCLAMBB) August 28, 2020
Lots of epic battles between these two. Thank you for the memories.
RIP Coach Olson pic.twitter.com/oXC7bc0roP
— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) August 28, 2020
A great coach not only inspires his own team, but also brings out the best in his opponents. RIP to Pac-10 legend Lute Olson. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, @APlayersProgram and @AZATHLETICS.#GoDucks #AlwaysUs pic.twitter.com/dHrn20j4cM
— Oregon Men's Basketball (@OregonMBB) August 28, 2020
Our thoughts are with Lute Olson's loved ones, @AZATHLETICS and @APlayersProgram as we mourn the loss of a legend. pic.twitter.com/YdqBXR5rKI
— Cal Basketball (@CalMBBall) August 28, 2020
Our thoughts are with Coach Lute Olson’s loved ones, @AZATHLETICS and @APlayersProgram in mourning the loss of a legend who had such an impact on college basketball, particularly our conference. pic.twitter.com/BP1CVKMtYL
— Washington Men's Basketball (@UW_MBB) August 28, 2020
Our thoughts are with the Olson Family, @aplayersprogram & @AZATHLETICS. RIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/UsrVUTGGhq
— Utah Basketball (w/ ) (@UtahMBB) August 28, 2020
It’s hard to put into words how much Lute Olson meant to me.He was an amazing coach & a wonderful man. Being part of the U of A basketball family changed my life forever.I will never forget Coach O, those awesome nights at McKale and all my teammates. Thank you Coach- I love you! pic.twitter.com/GUvtSFr9Lm
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) August 28, 2020
I told Denny Crum I was coming to Louisville. Midnight Lute called. We talked for 3 hrs! He Changed my mind, then changed my life! Never truly in my eyes got the credit he deserved. It’s okay though! Love you Papa Lute!!
— Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) August 28, 2020
We lost a Legend last night!! Coach Olson, You were not only a great coach, but a tremendous family man, father figure, grandpa, friend and mentor!!! You impacted so many lives in such a positive way and your lessons… https://t.co/ny1eho6WE0
— Miles Simon (@milessimon) August 28, 2020
With out you there would be no me Rest peacefully #CoachO #BearDown pic.twitter.com/XUTQwuJqNk
— Jason "The Jet" Terry (@jasonterry31) August 28, 2020
Thank you for the Wildcat family you built in Tucson and allowing me to be a part of it. You developed a community of great players, men, and fathers. Your impact will last for generations. Rest easy Coach O. #ShowMeTheLute #Family #BearDown pic.twitter.com/oU1wr2oiIc
— A • J • B / R / A / M / L / E / T / T (@AJBRAMLETT) August 28, 2020
It’s rare that a man is a Hall of famer and still under appreciated. I’ll always feel like you never got the credit you deserved as a leader, family man, grandfather, coach and as a mentor. I love you Coach O
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) August 28, 2020
Thank you coach for taking a chance on some skinny kid from Chandler,Az. I owe my whole basketball career to you and what you taught me. I’m gonna miss you. pic.twitter.com/yRIBVKM137
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) August 28, 2020
RIP Coach O Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to learn, grow, develop into the player and man I was destined to be. I promise I will continue to pass on the knowledge and wisdom you taught me to the next generation of young men and women pic.twitter.com/RPOw2do1MJ
— Loren Woods (@mrlorenwoods) August 28, 2020
RIP Coach O Thoughts and prayers to the family of Lute Olson, He was a legend of basketball, made Arizona a powerhouse, and inspired so many of us.
— Josh Green (@josh_green6) August 28, 2020
So blessed to be able to play for Lute Olson. An amazing teacher on and off the court. His legacy is many things but I am so grateful for his friendship and the UofA basketball family he built that will always live on Toasting a glass of Pinot to you Coach O #LuteOlson #BearDown pic.twitter.com/TC3HJg06ra
— matt muehlebach (@mattmuehlebach) August 28, 2020
I'm saddened to here of the passing of my former Arizona Wildcats coach and friend Lute Olson....He was a great and honorable man..He built an incredible program and helped mold some pretty incredible men....
RIP Lute...I love you— Tom Tolbert (@byronjr23) August 28, 2020
— Corey Williams (@CollegeCorey) August 28, 2020
Man..RIP Lute Olson. Great coach and even better man! will truly be missed.
— Parker Jackson-Cartwright (@unrulymino0) August 28, 2020
Today is an extremely sad day as we say goodbye to our Hall of Fame Coach Lute Olson. Coach O meant the world to me and my family. My whole adult life Coach has been a powerful voice and… https://t.co/FruSRWzJzX
— Reggie Geary (@ReggieGeary) August 28, 2020
Rest In Peace to one of the best to ever do it. And one of the most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of crossing paths with. Prayers out to his family. https://t.co/wQMmAQky1F
— Brandon Ashley (@_Bash21) August 28, 2020
Coach Olson is the absolute best, one of the greatest coaches ever and one of the greatest human beings ever. My feelings of gratitude and appreciation cannot be put in words. I love him dearly. My heart hurts, but I know he is now in heaven. May god bless his family. #RIP pic.twitter.com/7ltBVUva77
— Coach Josh Pastner (@GTJoshPastner) August 28, 2020
We are saddened by the passing of former Arizona Men’s Basketball head coach Lute Olson. Coach Olson was the recipient of the #WoodenAward Legends of Coaching in 2001.
Bruce McClelland / Arizona Daily Star pic.twitter.com/80S3HgwG3W
— John R. Wooden Award (@WoodenAward) August 28, 2020