clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Sun Devils react to the passing of legendary Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson

Bigger than a rivalry

Via @TimHealeyASU on Twitter

Legendary Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson, who led the Wildcats to a 1997 National Championship and four Final Fours over the course of 25 years, passed away on Thursday evening. He was 85-years-old.

Olson was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and helped guide numerous Wildcats to the NBA, including Steve Kerr, Jason Terry, Richard Jefferson, and many others.

He also had a great relationship with former Sun Devil coach Bill Frieder dating back to their coaching days in the Big Ten, and the duo had memorable commercials that they starred in together (see below).

Here is a look at the social media reaction from fellow Sun Devils on the passing of the Arizona coach:

Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bobby Hurley

Women’s Basketball Coach Charli Turner Thorne

ASU Play-by-Play Announcer Tim Healey

Sun Devil Play-by-Play Broadcaster Jeff Munn

ASU Football Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator Antonio Pierce

Former ASU Guard Brad Nahra

Statement From Arizona State Men’s Basketball Program

ASU Color Commentator and Former Guard Kyle Dodd

For more stories, memories, and recollections of Olson and his legacy at Arizona, check out our SB Nation family at Arizona Desert Swarm.