Arizona Basketball: Lute Olson has Coach Sean Miller’s back

Coach Sean Miller is receiving criticism after a tough loss against Xavier in the 2017 NCAA Tournament, but Hall of Fame Coach Lute Olson has his back.

There is only one coach in the University of Arizona basketball program’s history who has been through the same dilemma as head coach Sean Miller has been living through after losing in the Sweet 16.

Lute Olson has been down the same path before and has had to deal with that when it comes to the backlash, and definitely, knows about getting over the hump. Since Olson has experience in these matters, Steve Rivera called him up to get his take.

In a telephone interview, Olson told Steve Rivera (All Sports Tucson):

"“It’s never easy when you get that close. It just sort of goes with the job. When you’re expected to advance – just like Sean was with Xavier – it’s just difficult when you get that close. And for Sean who hasn’t been to the Final Four yet then it hurts even more. … It just didn’t work out.”"

Advancing to the Final Four and winning a National Title are the only items eluding Coach Miller’s resume.  Olson overcame U of A’s drought of not reaching the Final Four by breaking through in 1988, 1994, 1997 and 2001 before winning the National Title in 1997 against the University of Kentucky. The negativity came when Olson could not get his team past the first round in 1992 and then again 1993.

Olson failed to listen to any of the criticism because winning big games showed that the team could win it all. Eventually, criticism came back to Olson in 1998 and 2005 for failures of getting to the final four, and it wouldn’t be long after that Miller would take over the reigns as head coach.

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Lute also told to Steve Rivera about how the coaches have to deal with the situation:

"“The fans are upset and disappointed, but it’s your livelihood, when you get that close (it’s tough to deal with).”"

It is extremely tough for a head coach when every U of A fan expects excellence and winning. A victory was so near yet so far away. Year after year in March, boosters, alumni, students, and fans are growing quite anxious for the team’s next chance to break through to the Final Four. Since this year’s Final Four is taking place in such an ideal location up the road in The University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

Olson’s advice to Coach Miller via Rivera is to get as far away from Tucson as possible:

"“It’ll probably be easier for him to escape some of the criticism,” Olson said, “(But) he’s probably going to be harder on himself than anyone could be.” Lute followed the team from town to town this season, so he lived through it all with the team and Coach Miller. Of all people, he would understand most what Sean is going through."

One thing he may not have had too much experience in doing is saying goodbye to freshmen every year. So far this season, Lauri Markkanen declared for the NBA Draft, but more are expected. Possibly Kobi Simmons and Allonzo Trier, but there may also be a few others who may test the waters, we wait and see.

It would be nice if Coach Sean Miller could take a family trip far away from Tucson and the University of Arizona basketball so he can get some necessary rest and relaxation.

Millers resting plans may need to wait as he now has to start looking for a new assistant coach. Arizona assistant coach Joe Pasternack is leaving to become the head coach at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).

The rumor mill is guessing or hearing former Washington Huskies Coach Lorenzo Romar may be getting courted to replace Pasternak.

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It doesn’t seem in Coach Miller’s nature to take a break from the game. He is a very hard-working coach and has done more for this program than any booster, alumni, student, and fan could ask for. Patience is key, and I predict sooner rather than later, that Arizona will be back on top. Bear Down, Arizona!