Lessons from Lute: Reflections on Legendary Arizona Basketball Coach Lute Olson

A profound collection celebrating one of college basketball's greatest coaches

Lute Olson is a college basketball coaching institution, from Tucson and the University of Arizona through the Pac-12, and forever in the annals of the sport as one of the best to ever do it. But while his coaching record is unassailable, it only tells part of the story of the life and legacy of the beloved Olson.

In this celebratory collection of stories and memories about coach Olson, UA players, coaches, administrators, and opposing coaches lovingly look back on the warmth and wisdom of Olson, and reflect on the impact of the unforgettable quarter century he expertly guided the program, both on and off the court.

From the recollections of UA legends Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, Richard Jefferson, Damon Stoudamire, Miles Simon, and more, fans will gain a greater appreciation than ever for Olson’s place in Arizona history, and help pass along his legend to future generations of Wildcats.

Steve Rivera has covered Arizona men's basketball for more than 25 years, most recently for FoxSportsArizona.com and GoAZCats.com. For two decades, he covered UA for the Tucson Citizen. Rivera has covered 17 Final Fours, three NBA Finals, and two Olympic Games. He a frequent guest on sports talk shows in Tucson and Phoenix. Luke Walton, a former NBA player and head coach, played at Arizona from 1999 to 2003.