TUCSON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Arizona interim coach Kevin O'Neill has been named to take over when Coach Lute Olson, currently on a leave of absence, retires from his coaching position.
Olson, 73, left the team in November for personal reasons and on Dec. 8 said his leave could cover the entire college basketball season. It later came out that he was involved in a divorce.
O'Neill, 50, has guided the Wildcats to a 7-2 record and No. 19 ranking. He joined Olson's staff in May as the team's top assistant coach.
"Kevin is our coach for now and will be our coach in the future when Lute decides to retire," Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood said. "It goes without saying, but let me say it again: The University of Arizona's appreciation of what Lute Olson has meant to our program is boundless."
Olson has a 780-280 career record at Arizona, Iowa, and Long Beach State. His 589-187 record with the Wildcats includes the 1997 national championship and four Final Four appearances.
O'Neill has 11 seasons of collegiate coaching experience and coached the NBA's Toronto Raptors in 2003-04.
