Arizona men's basketball coach Lute Olson retires

[October 24, 2008]  TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona coach Lute Olson has retired after 24 years with the Wildcats. Athletic director Jim Livengood confirmed Olson's decision after hours of news reports speculating about the 74-year-old Hall of Famer's 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.

Olson missed all of last season after taking a personal leave of absence for what he later termed "a medical condition that was not life-threatening."

When Olson returned from his leave in April, he said he planned to coach for the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2011.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Arizona coach Lute Olson has resigned after 24 years with the Wildcats.

Athletic director Jim Livengood confirmed Olson's decision after hours of news reports speculating about the 74-year-old Hall of Famer's 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.

Olson missed all of last season after taking a personal leave of absence for what he later termed "a medical condition that was not life-threatening."

When Olson returned from his leave in April, he said he planned to coach for the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2011.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW BAGNATO]

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