Lute Olson had a stroke

[NYWarrior]

and is suffering from depression in the aftermath.....that explains plenty, wow

http://ncaabasketball.fanhouse.com/2008/10/28/lute-olson-suffering-from-depression/

[Dish]

Sad to hear. I had a chance to watch an Arizona practice about 8 years ago in Tucson while my brother was there and met him very briefly. Nice guy, great coach. Hope he can battle through this, tough way to go out.

[Marquette_g]

It would seem to me that Lute's doctor is definitely violating HIPAA laws by coming out with this information. 

[Murffieus]

He should have retired five years ago----coaching past the late 60s is asinine. Declining energy and acute memory limits ones effectiveness.

[tower912]

Murf, the number of obvious responses you have opened yourself up for are limitless.   However, now is not the time.     Good Luck and God Bless to Coach Lute.

[77ncaachamps]

Death of his first wife...
Stroke...
Divorce from his second wife...
Engagement to his soon-to-be third wife...
Depression...

I wish this man many good years ahead. That's a lot to deal with in about 7 years.

[rugbydrummer]

It would seem to me that Lute's doctor is definitely violating HIPAA laws by coming out with this information. 

as if the information wouldn't be obtained eventually anyway.....  besides, maybe he had Olson's permission

furthermore, nothing like a little public service announcement....  strokes and depression are not always well-recognized.....

[Mayor McCheese]

He should have retired five years ago----coaching past the late 60s is asinine. Declining energy and acute memory limits ones effectiveness.

Yup, because Joe Paterno is sure struggling this year... please give me a break.

Plenty of coaches in their 60's still succeed in college sports.

[RJax55]

Yup, because Joe Paterno is sure struggling this year... please give me a break.

Plenty of coaches in their 60's still succeed in college sports.

Its debatable how much influence Joe Pa has had in the success of Penn State this year. Much of credit needs to go to his assistants, especially his son Jay and Mike McQueary. Even with their success on the field, Penn State has had numerous ugly off-the-field incidents involving football players during the past couple of years.

Murf has a very valid point. Just like great players can hang on too long, it seems like many great coaches have the same problem.

[Murffieus]

Paterno is having a great year this year-----but he's had quite a few lean seasons in the last 6-7 years. He's finally organized his staff to fill the void of the fnction that he filled in years gone by when he had similar success.

He's coaching the coaches now who in turn coach the players!

[ecompt]

Plus he's kinda sold his soul to the devil for one last title. That school is in the police blotter of the Pennsylvania papers on a monthly basis. Typical Big Ten.

[RedWebster]

"Lute Olson had a stroke"

So did we, but he's coaching Indiana now.

[mu03eng]

Paterno is having a great year this year-----but he's had quite a few lean seasons in the last 6-7 years. He's finally organized his staff to fill the void of the fnction that he filled in years gone by when he had similar success.

He's coaching the coaches now who in turn coach the players!

Not to shoot down your premise, but Paterno's staff hasn't changed in 6 years, unless of course you are counting equipment managers and water boys as key staff.  While I think Paterno still has it(hurt his hip showing the kicker how to do an onside kick for godsake, doesn't coach though??), I also think he is an extremely rare exception.  I think coaching into your 60s isn't a problem if you are in good shape, etc.  However, if you start to have medical issues like a stroke that probably indicates its time to go.