Stroke forced Olson to retire
by Steve Rivera on Oct. 29, 2008, under SportsLeft him unable to coach
'Given his personality, here's a guy who was frustrated, but he refused to give up.'
Dr. Steven A. Knope,
Lute Olson's physician
The announcement that former Arizona basketball coach Lute Olson suffered a stroke in the past year was an obvious source of concern for his former players.
Tuesday, Olson’s doctor – with Olson’s approval – said at a news conference Tuesday that the coach had suffered a stroke within the past year that contributed to recent “severe depression” and “changes in judgment.”
To Jawann McClellan, who finished his eligibility last season, at least some of the reason for Olson’s leave of absence last year has been explained.
“I’m not glad that he’s going through this but I’m glad (that it has come out),” McClellan said, “because it had been unexplained to the kids the last year. I hope it’s not too serious.”
The news gave insight into why Olson, 74, retired abruptly Thursday, just two days after speaking to the media about being “energized” for this season.
It still doesn’t fully explain why he took a leave of absence last November.
It’s not certain when the stroke occurred.
Olson, a Hall of Fame coach, retired upon the advice of Dr. Steven A. Knope. Knope said an MRI on Monday confirmed that Olson “had a stroke in the frontal part of the brain” that affected Olson’s “executive decision-making and personality.”
Former UA standout Channing Frye said he had not heard the news until informed by the Citizen on Tuesday afternoon. Frye said via e-mail that “Flat out he was the best coach I’ve ever had and ever will have.
“I’m sorry (some) players never got a chance to be taught by him. I know this (retirement) was a difficult choice for him, but I want to let everyone know that U of A basketball will still be a powerhouse; so support the players that are there now.
“They bleed and sweat to wear those jerseys and deserve every inch of support not only in honor of coach O., but because they wear the red and blue.”
Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell said through the team’s spokesman, “We miss Lute. The Arizona basketball family will always support him.
“(This) news, as odd as this may sound, is comforting only in that he now knows what he’s up against as he works to return to good health.”
UA athletic director Jim Livengood said, “Our thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery and the quality of life he deserves.”
Former player Corey Williams said he was “devastated” by the news.
“My heart goes out to the family because it’s rough,” he said. “Coach was never one to let things slow him down. He was always determined and professional. To hear something like that – and to have the decision taken out of his hands because of your health – everyone can understand.”
Olson – through Knope – said the news conference was called to explain recent events.. Two of Olson’s daughters – Jody Brase and Christi Snyder – attended the news conference, as did his grandson, Matt Brase.
They declined to speak about the situation.
Knope said an irregular heartbeat, which doctors first noticed in Olson about eight years ago, may have led to the stroke.
The doctor said he had talked to Olson for several weeks about retiring because the stress was too much for the coach and Olson was not responding to anti-depression medicine.
“He just couldn’t put the pieces together,” Knope said.
Olson is resting at home and is on a blood thinner, Knope said, adding that he’s optimistic Olson will recover.
The doctor said Olson went on anti-depression medicine during his leave of absence last season, but went off the drugs in April, “and was doing great.”
Knope pronounced Olson fit to coach at the time.
Over the past few weeks, however, Olson resumed treatment with antidepressants, Knope said.
“He simply didn’t respond (to the medicine),” Knope said. “And I became concerned that he had a tumor in his frontal lobe, or had suffered a stroke.”
Olson, the doctor added, “knew something was wrong, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
“Given his personality, here’s a guy who was frustrated, but he refused to give up.”
Knope said he then ordered an MRI, which showed a stroke.
Knope said Olson did not have Parkinson’s disease, but has a benign condition called familial tremor. Knope also said Olson does not suffer from dementia.
Knope said Olson received “world-class” follow-up care from UA cardiologists for the irregular heartbeat, and did not have a reoccurrence until the last two years.
Olson has not spoken publicly since UA’s media day last Tuesday.
Renee Bracamonte/Tucson Citizen
Olson
Lute Olson's daughter Christi Snyder attended Tuesday's news conference about Olson's health, but declined to speak on the situation.
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MEDICAL TIMELINE
2000: Lute Olson suffers an irregular heartbeat, which UA doctors treat effectively, according to Dr. Steven A. Knope on Tuesday.
2006: The irregular heartbeat returns.
November 2007: Olson takes a leave of absence. Doctors begin to treat him for depression as Olson goes through a contentious divorce from his second wife, Christine.
April 2008: Olson gets off antidepressants “and is doing great,” Knope says, and returns to coaching.
Last two weeks: Olson has relapse of depression and retires Thursday. An MRI on Monday confirms the coach suffered a small stroke sometime in the last year, possibly brought on by the irregular heart beat, Knope says.
