Arizona basketball community reacts to Lute Olson’s death

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When you leave the kind of legacy Lute Olson did at Arizona, it’s no surprise to see that his death elicited all kinds of responses from all corners of the basketball community on Thursday, just hours after the news broke.

A quick scroll through social media shows just how many lives he touched.

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

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

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

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

We lost a giant tonight. I think of the lessons he taught us us before every life decision I make. His value system, competing with class, preparation, being a gentlemen, uniting young men from all backgrounds. He coached basketball but he taught life. The world needs Lute Olson pic.twitter.com/AuonXDwRGB

— Joe McLean (@joemclean15) 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

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

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

With out you there would be no me Rest peacefully #CoachO #BearDown pic.twitter.com/XUTQwuJqNk

— Jason "The Jet" Terry (@jasonterry31) August 28, 2020

Rest In Peace Lute Olson.I remember when I was a player I would watch him coach, and he had an amazing gift. Everyone loved him, he built a dynasty.
When I came back here to coach, Kelly and Lute supported, loved and believed in me. He will always have special place in my ❤️ . pic.twitter.com/Zga2abGELp

— ADIA BARNES ⬇️ (@AdiaBarnes) August 28, 2020

In my 40 years in Tucson no person has done more for this city than Lute Olson. It went beyond victories and championships. He galvanized this community with his dignity and genuine love for his players and all who knew him. His influence will be with us forever.

— Brian Jeffries (@catspbp) August 28, 2020

It was always bigger than basketball with his players! #CoachO pic.twitter.com/48QIlHljCo

— Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) August 28, 2020

Man..RIP Lute Olson. Great coach and even better man! will truly be missed.

— Parker Jackson-Cartwright (@unrulymino0) August 28, 2020

Legendary coach, man, father, husband, friend, mentor, teacher, golfer & forever one of the greatest Wildcats of all time. #LuteOlson Rest In Peace.

His 1st year was my 1st year @AZATHLETICS . He lives on in the multitude of people he inspired, including me. #BearDown

— Chuck Cecil (@chuckcecil26) August 28, 2020

Everything I am as man, father, friend, and mentor, is owed to the man I idolize like no other! My heart, like so many others I’m sure, aches so badly...I Love You Coach O!❤️ https://t.co/VqlcmzcGDb

— Pete Williams (@Flydog32Pete) August 26, 2020

R.I.P coach O! Won the championship the year before I was born and made sure everyone in Arizona knew who the real basketball school was in the state ⬇️❤️

— Ira Lee (@iramandoesit) August 28, 2020

Always wanted to play for Lute Olson!!! RIP to a real legend!

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) 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

Coach Lute Olson was THE MAN! Growing up Watching guard play at Arizona made me want to play there someday. Rest Easy Coach

— Shaun Livingston (@ShaunLivingston) August 28, 2020

We lost a giant tonight. I think of the lessons he taught us us before every life decision I make. His value system, competing with class, preparation, being a gentlemen, uniting young men from all backgrounds. He coached basketball but he taught life. The world needs Lute Olson pic.twitter.com/AuonXDwRGB

— Joe McLean (@joemclean15) August 28, 2020

In less than 3 years, we’ve lost Lute Olson, Dick Tomey and Jerry Kindall. 3 men who were everything we love about sports. They took young adults and coached them to be good men in life. They gave every ounce of their heart and love to their student-athletes.

RIP Coach O.

— Daniel Berk (@DSBerk) August 28, 2020

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