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After 25 years of coaching the Arizona men’s basketball team, Lute Olson is stepping down. Olson missing the 07-08 season because of a continuing divorce but is now officially leaving Arizona.

While there is buzz that associate coach Mike Dunlap will take over temporarily, the University of Arizona will not confirm these rumors.

The Arizona Wildcats felt Olson’s loss as they had a disappointing season while he was gone. They finished in 7th place, the worst it’s done since 1982, eliminated by West Virginia in the first round.

He had made it clear that he would definitely be returning after concluding the divorce but he hinted at certain medical issues. There is speculation these may have played into Olson’s decision to leave.

Olson’s career with Arizona basketball included 27 NCAA tournament appearances and he is second behind Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski for most wins among active NCAA Division 1 men’s coaches. He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and led Iowa to the 1980 Final Four.