Lute Olson
Inducted:
2002
Coach Stats
Born:
September 22, 1934
Mayville, North Dakota, U.S.
Died:
August 27, 2020
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Position:
Coach
College:
University of Arizona
Robert Luther "Lute" Olson was a master program-builder and one of the most respected tacticians in college basketball history. While he is often associated with the NBA due to the staggering number of professional players he developed, Olson never coached in the NBA. Instead, he spent his career in the collegiate ranks, most notably transforming the University of Arizona from a struggling program into a perennial national powerhouse.
Olson led the "Wildcats" to 23 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and the 1997 National Championship. His "Point Guard U" philosophy emphasized elite backcourt play, which paved the way for dozens of his players—including Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby, and Jason Terry—to become NBA stars and champions. His impact on the pro game was so significant that despite never pacing an NBA sideline, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.
Olson's Awards and Honors
- National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame (2006)
- NCAA Champion (1997)
- 2x National Coach of the Year (1980, 1997)
- 7x Pac-10 Coach of the Year
- 2x Big Ten Coach of the Year (at Iowa)
- Gold Medal - FIBA World Championship (1986, Team USA)
- Naismith College Coach of the Year
- Pac-10 Coach of the Year (multiple)
NCAA Teams
Iowa (1974–1983)
Arizona (1983–2007)
NCAA Stats
Seasons coached:
36
Overall Division I Record:
780–280 (.736)
NCAA Tournament appearances:
23
Final Four appearances:
4
NCAA Championships:
1 (1997)
Final Four Appearances:
5 (1980, 1988, 1994, 1997, 2001)
Pac-10 Conference Titles:
11 Regular Season / 4 Tournament
NBA Draft Picks Produced:
55 (34 from Arizona)
20-Win Seasons:
29