It’s been more than five decades since Jim Rosborough coached his first game — way back in 1970 for mighty Corkery Junior High — and he just can’t stop.
He’s infected with basketball.
“It gets in your blood and you can’t stop it,” said Rosborough, Lute Olson’s top lieutenant for decades. “I’d bet you, wherever (former Purdue head coach) Gene Keady is, he’s watching the game and diagnosing it. At my age, which is quite a bit older than you or even your grandparents, I know I have a limited number of years left. But I love the process. I love the girls, coaching them and their response and wanting to get better.”
Rosborough has served as Todd Holthaus’ assistant for the Pima College women’s team since 2015, helping the Aztecs reach an unprecedented level of success.
There have been other stops — including a stint as Arizona’s assistant women’s tennis coach from 2010-2014 — but the longtime Arizona assistant still has a need to impart his wisdom.
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“Out here with these girls, we’re a Division II community college, and we don’t have full scholarships, and to see these kids come in and develop and work, every single day?” he said. “We do shooting drills, and finally it clicks, and I find that as rewarding as anything. I won’t kid you, I like winning — I want a chance to go to a national tournament and it irritates me to lose — but to see that lightbulb on something we’ve been working on time and time again, that’s the best.
“You give the kids the chance to feel good about themselves, and if they feel good, they play well.”

Jim Rosborough, seen coaching the Wildcats in 2004, says basketball will forever be a part of him. “It gets in your blood and you can’t stop it,” he says.
Rosborough and his wife, Kim — who runs an interior design firm in Tucson — remain active Tucson denizens, long after his tenure with the Wildcats. They often go to local plays, and to the museums; Kim is involved in her sorority at UA.
But basketball still runs through Rosborough’s blood, and he’ll be coaching the game just as long as he can.
“I made my first basket in my driveway at 3 years old,” he said. “It’s been there for a long time. You can’t get over it, period.”
Photos: Arizona vs. Kentucky in the 1997 NCAA Championship Game
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's A.J. Bramlett and Bennett Davison hug after winning in overtime against Kentucky at the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's Ooh Ahh Man, Joe Cavaler, leads a chant at the team hotel before the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

A University of Arizona cheerleader during a pep rally at the team hotel before the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Matt Meliker gives the we are number one sign as UA fans fill the RCA Dome during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

UA players gather outside their locker room before the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's Miles Simon looks to pass under the pressure of Kentucky's Scott Padgett and Cameron Mills during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

UA guard Mike Bibby is bringing the ball up the court with Kentucky player Ron Mercer during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Mike Bibby gets instructions from coach Lute Olson during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Kentucky coach Rick Pitino with Jared Prickettduring the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Donnell Harris (left) holds onto Miles Simon as the clock winds down in overtime to give the Arizona their first NCAA Division I basketball title in the championship game against Kentucky in Indianapolis.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Kentucky coach Rick Pitino hugs Nazr Mohammed during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

UA Coach Lute Olson coaches players against Kentucky. during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's Josh Pastner runs out on the court to greet the team after a timeout was called during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

rizona's Donnell Harris drives through Kentucky's Nazr Mohammed, left, and Jared Prickett during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Nazr Mohammed battles Arizona's Eugene Edgerson for a rebound during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's Donnell Harris tries to plow through Kentucky's Ron Mercer (left) and Anthony Epps (right) the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Michael Dickerson brings the ball upcourt against Anthony Epps during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's Mike Bibby dishes off during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

he Arizona bench explodes with joy as the end nears during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona fans display their colors during the championship game against Kentucky during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona players leap from the bench during the end of the second half against Kentucky during the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN. Players from left to right are: Quynn Tebbs, John Ash, Josh Pastner, Jason Lee, Coach Lute Olson, Michael Edgerson, A.J. Bramlett, and Miles Simon. Assistant coach Jessie Evans is at far right.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Mike Bibby cuts down the net after the Wildcats defeated Kentucky at the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona's Miles Simon and Mike Bibby get a ride following their victory over Kentucky at the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Steve Kerr, the Arizona guard that led 1988 Final Four team and current coach of the Golden State Warriors, hugs Arizona head coach Lute Olson after Arizona won the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Steve Kerr, the Arizona guard that led 1988 Final Four team and current coach of the Golden State Warriors, hugs Arizona head coach Lute Olson after Arizona won the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona head coach talks to the crowd as player Bennett Davison waves a towel after winning the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona players A.J. Bramlett and Miles Simon embrace after winning the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona head coach Lute Olson waves to the crowd after the team won the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Kentucky vs. Arizona

Arizona head coach Lute Olson during an appearance on the Today Show after the 1997 NCAA College Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis, IN.
Arizona Wildcats win NCAA championship

Lute Olson and wife, Bobbi, wave to fans while leaving the court after the Wildcats won the national championship in Indianapolis on March 31, 1997.