The saga of Lute Olson's retirement was indeed medically related as Dick Vitale revealed when he broke the news on ESPN. Contrary to the very sanitized press release of Arizona, the reason was indeed medical. Lute Olson is suffering from depression brought about by a stroke he suffered sometime last year.Lute Olson had a small stroke in the frontal part of his brain in the past year, which resulted in severe depression and changes in judgment, his doctor said today.This is truly a sad thing. It also explains a lot. Starting with the abrupt retirement, to Olson's sometimes questionable behavior over the last year.
Dr. Steven Knope said his motor function "was perfectly normal." In the past few weeks, Knope began to treat what appeared to be depression, to which he did not respond.
Knope said the stroke resulted in "uncharacteristic behavior" over the past few months. He said he believes the stroke occurred some time in the past year.
"He is frankly devastated," Knope said of the 74-year-old Olson. "This is something that is simply beyond his control."
There was the whole strange conflict with interim coach Kevin O'Neill after O'Neill was named the successor-in-waiting of Olson. Olson reportedly was criticizing O'Neill behind his back. Getting rid of O'Neill. The complete overhaul of the coaching staff when he returned -- including terminating Miles Simon, even as Olson denied any culpability. Even the strange recruiting violation.
The very contentious news conference in April, that Olson recently apologized for his behavior. The divorce from his second wife that ended up with the two airing things out on local morning radio.
The anger at Jarryd Bayless' agent when the freshman opted for the NBA Draft. Taking shots at a couple recruits who asked out of their letter of intent or decided to play in Europe.
All of this from a coach that had done everything right for so long, and had managed to keep much of his personal life just that. Everything seemed to invert.
Maybe it doesn't neatly explain everything, but it makes sense of a lot more. Here's hoping that Lute Olson can get the help and support he needs. Despite how bleak it can be, there are treatments and options that can help.
Athletes Coping With Mental Disorders
Lute Olson suffered a small stroke before the 2007-2008 season which eventually sidelined him with severe depression. As a result, the 74-year-old head coach retired from the University of Arizona. Olson isn't alone, as many other sports stars have struggled with some kind of mental disorder in their careers.
Jim McIsaac, Getty Images
NBA player Delonte West says he contemplated quitting the team before seeking help for depression and "a mood disorder" he has been battling his entire life. "I felt a feeling of anger and I just wanted to throw it all away and quit the team," West said.
Mark Duncan, AP
Philadelphia Eagles lineman Shawn Andrews told a Philadelphia newspaper in August that he's been fighting depression for a year. "It's not something that blossomed up overnight. I'm on medication, trying to get better," said Andrews. Source: AP
Chris McGrath, Getty Images
College football legend Herschel Walker documented his struggle with dissociative identity disorder in his 2008 autobiography 'Breaking Free.' He has claimed that due to his disorder, he cannot remember the season he won the Heisman Trophy. Source: AP
Scott Cunningham, Getty Images
Barret Robbins' NFL career ended in a psychiatric ward before Super Bowl XXXVII. Robbins, seen here in 2005, has received treatment for bipolar disorder, but his present whereabouts are unknown. Source: USA Today
J. Pat Carter, AP
Frank Bruno, a former boxer who won the WBC heavyweight championship in 1995, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2003. Source: Wikipedia, The Guardian
Dave Hogan, Getty Images
Former Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter washed out of the NFL and was treated for drug addiction and bipolar disorder in 2004. He was arrested on marijuana possession charges in 2007, but is now on the comeback trail and playing football in the Arena Football League. Source: Shreveport Times, Wikipedia
Brian Bahr, Getty Images
Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Alonzo Spellman, who struggled with bipolar disorder during his career, has been in trouble with the law numerous times. Source: Chicago Sun-Times, Wikipedia
Fred Jewell, AP
Dolphins running back Ricky Williams' social anxiety disorder, which was treated with therapy and medication, played havoc with his football career in the past. Williams has since returned to the Dolphins as a productive player this season. Source: CBS, Wikipedia
Keith Srakocic, AP
Steelers great Terry Bradshaw was diagnosed with clinical depression nine years ago. After his NFL career ended, Bradshaw admitted that he had frequently experienced anxiety attacks after games. During 2004, he traveled around the U.S. speaking about his depression and his use of the antidepressant Paxil CR.
Source: USA Today, AP
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
It's all one big excuse for this guy's out of control ego. His reasons ring hallow and I suspect it's a cover up for something else.
A stroke is not a laughing matter. As an alum and life long fan, we here in Tucson will give him the benefit of the doubt. Keep your ignorant comments to yourself! Go Cats!
You're about as big a lowlife as they come, MT. Anybody with any sense would have been able to see that there had to be a cause for Lute's actions the past year or so. He's been special for the UofA the past 25 years, and it disgusts me to see people like you badmouthing him now. Get a life! The Cats will do okay.
Depression, or any metal illnes, is no joke. It is not an excuse. Obviously, it has been a tragedy for Olson and his family. Give the guy a break!
How can you be depressed making millions of dollars and fans adore you. cmon guys snap out of it
Join the club. I suffer from depression. I wonder if I can quit my job and collect a check. Oh wait, I'km one of the working poor so I guess I'll just have to deal with it.
coach olson has been a class act and one of the greatest college basketball coaches ever....thanks for making zona basketball fun to watch for the last 25 years. good luck!
Depression can be treated.Many people prefer to ignore for many reasons.People may function to some degree ,usually function better after proper diagnosis and treatment.
Lute is a Legend in Tucson and the U of A. They will probably change the McHale center to the Olson Center. U of A basketball will never be the same. Godspeed Lute!
I find this very sad and all too familiar. My Mom had tiny stokes in the frontal lobe and it definitely resulted in a severe personality change and the depression is a result of the stroke. It has also resulted in vascular dementia and she is going downhill quickly...very sad and I don't believe any of it is JUST an excuse for his behavior.
for all of you incapable of compassion I've known coach Olson for forty years and i can tell you that his first wife's passing and divorce from his second can be traumatic enough, but to a lifetime dedicated coach being out of coaching will bring about depression, and anxiety and sometimes strange behavior I know...
coach D.
I know that the man/coach I have admired over the past years would never go out like that. He is a man with a sense of dedication to his coaching and mentoring of his teams. He has proven to us over his career to be able to make the ethical choice. With that in mind I think it is unlikely that he would make up such a story that could be proven or disproven. He would have walked away before putting the school in that kind of light. I too understand what seems to be happening and take it from me it is hard enough to admit an issue but when you are a man with the reputation he has it must have been very hard. My prayers and thoughts are with Coach Olsen and his family. I will continue to support the team and I hope that the team can pull it together to keep their minds in the game. I am sure that is what Coach Olsen wants.
Lute was a great coach and mentor for so many young players. The revelation of a stroke and the ensuing depression partially explains the behavior change but nothing can explain how the Athletic Director didn't notice the changes over the months. Where was Livengood in all this when coaches were bailing ship or being thrown out. Why was this situation allowed to blow out of control when so many people were being put out to dry and lives were being altered forever. Someone has got to take responsibility for the trauma to the lives of these young people who believed in Lute and the program. I am NOT happy with the handling of this last year. Academia seens to believe that us "nornmal" folk will swallow any viable, though unlikely to be complete,explanation. When we save all year to be able to get our two measly tickets it would be nice to be treated with respect as to the truth. As a parent, I am really ticked about the kids that came to stay when it is obvious now that they would have better chance elsewhere. How sad that a fantastic career had to end so badly.
Anytime there is any type of chemical or physical damage to any vital organ, that organ will not function correctly. The human brain is no different. And contrary to the un-educated comment posted on here, making a million bucks a year won't cure these conditions.
And even if Lute had not suffered the stroke, and the turmoil that has plagued the UA Basketball Program had still occurred, it would be hard for me to condemn a coach who has run a clean ship and brought so much for Tucson to look forward to year after year, after year, after year....
It's only to bad thing is that Lute won't be able to go out on that well deserved farewell tour like all great coaches deserve!!!
Where was the UofA Athletic Director when Olson was making outlandish decisions? Lute should have been man enough to come forward with his problem/s and ask for guidance. In effect, Olson has negatively impacted at least two seans of Wildcat basketball, perhaps more, and tainted any otherwise enviable career. Take my word, depression is not the end of the world.
Perhaps he can still make local TV ads.
Lute Olson is one of the reasons I'm proud to be a Wildcat
alumni. Good luck Lute, thanks for the memories.
Depression is definetly a chemical imbalance and needs to be treated not avoided. Also depression can start from an early age where behavior patterns seemed less important at that time become much more obvious later if not treated properly. Then as you deal with life, the symptoms of depression become more evident. This is not an issue of money or fame but simple what his body inherited. So he is working on it and I think just appreciate what he has done for Tucson.
Lute Olson loves basketball and his passion made a difference for Tucson. Thanks Lute Olson.
after reading his autobiography i believe the loss of his first wife to cancer is the stresser that sent him over the edge.