Coach Lute Olson is beaming while listening to star player Sean Elliott at a rally and parade at for the men's basketball team at University of Arizona stadium in Tucson after the 1988 NCAA Final Four.
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Sports community reacts on social media to death of coach Lute Olson
Here's a look at reactions from the sports world about the passing of Arizona Wildcats coaching legend Lute Olson
Steve Kerr
Itβs 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
Pete Williams
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 Iβm sure, aches so badly...I Love You Coach O!β€οΈπππΎππΎππΎ https://t.co/VqlcmzcGDb
— Pete Williams (@Flydog32Pete) August 26, 2020
Damon Stoudamire
It was always bigger than basketball with his players! #CoachO pic.twitter.com/48QIlHljCo
— Damon Stoudamire (@Iambiggie503) August 28, 2020
Channing Frye
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. Iβm gonna miss you. pic.twitter.com/yRIBVKM137
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) August 28, 2020
Sean Miller
βHe had no weaknesses as a coach.β 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
Mike Candrea
Rest in Peace, Coach Olson β€οΈπ pic.twitter.com/dsih9G0CXE
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) August 28, 2020
Dave Heeke
— Dave Heeke (@Dave_Heeke) August 28, 2020
Pac-12 Conference
The entire Pac-12 joins @uarizona, @AZATHLETICS and @APlayersProgram in mourning the loss of legendary coach Lute Olson.#BearDown | #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/zBCFBt9Bh4
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) August 28, 2020
Kevin Sumlin
Tonight our thoughts and prayers are with Coach, his family and everyone he touched. #Legend https://t.co/wuKHKZgaay
— Kevin Sumlin (@CoachSumlin) August 28, 2020
Arizona Diamondbacks
A massive loss for the entire Arizona sports family. Rest in peace, Lute. Our thoughts are with his loved ones and the @APlayersProgram community. https://t.co/fhSAz36aGx
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) August 28, 2020
Phoenix Suns
Our hearts are heavy. Rest In Peace, Lute. π pic.twitter.com/8sq8WwZrlj
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) August 28, 2020
Isaiah Thomas
Always wanted to play for Lute Olson!!! RIP to a real legend!
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) August 28, 2020
UCLA MBB
Our thoughts are with the family of Coach Lute Olson and @AZATHLETICS. pic.twitter.com/2ezpJD7ht0
— UCLA Menβs Basketball (@UCLAMBB) August 28, 2020
Ira Lee
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 ππ½π»β¬οΈβ€οΈπ
— Ira Lee π°π·π²π½ (@iramandoesit) August 28, 2020
Brandon Ashley
Rest In Peace to one of the best to ever do it. And one of the most genuine people Iβve had the pleasure of crossing paths with. Prayers out to his family. ππ½ https://t.co/wQMmAQky1F
— Brandon Ashley (@_Bash21) August 28, 2020
Lance Briggs
One time for Lute Olson. University of Arizona legend!!! #RIP ππΎ pic.twitter.com/JEkNCmKdQA
— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) August 28, 2020
Josh Green
RIP Coach O ππ½β€οΈ 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
Josh Pastner
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
UA women's hoops
Rest In Peace, Lute β€οΈ pic.twitter.com/0rQwFIplx1
— Arizona Women's Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) August 28, 2020
Brian Jeffries
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
Tom Tolbert
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
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey
Legendary basketball coach. Mentor. Leader. National Champion. Arizonan. #RIP Lute Olson #BearDown pic.twitter.com/K4VzR0H6oT
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) August 28, 2020
Gary Payton
Weβve lost a great coach tonight the #Legendary #LuteOlson ππΎYour legacy will live on forever. It was a pleasure competing against you #ThankYou for being a great general @uarizona You will truly be missed #RIPLuteOlson #beardown #tucson #universityofarizona #LegendsNeverDie ππΎ pic.twitter.com/OHVwNvbFnm
— GARY PAYTON (@GaryPayton) August 28, 2020
Mike Stoops
Sending thoughts and prayers to Lute Olson and his family! He is an iconic Coach and a great man! #BearDown #Hawkeyes
— Mike Stoops (@Mike_Stoops41) August 26, 2020
UA President Robert C. Robbins
— Robert C. Robbins (@UArizonaPres) August 28, 2020
Alec White
Digital Sports Producer & Reporter
When he died Thursday night, Lute Olson's legend had grown far beyond what he accomplished in 24 seasons at McKale Center.
Here's a look at the life of Arizona Wildcats coaching legend Lute Olson, who died Thursday night at age 85.
Note to our print subscribers: Friday's newspaper might be delivered late because news of the death of Arizona's Hall of Fame basketball coach…
The coronavirus pandemic delayed the tribute for a year.