Lute Olson, former Long Beach City College (LBCC) head basketball coach (1970-73), will be inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame on November 24, 2019. Olson is one of nine of the 2019 National Collegiate Hall of Fame Class being inducted.
At LBCC, Olson complied an impressive 103-22 record in his four seasons as head coach. In 1970, LBCC finished second at the state tournament. He led the Vikings to three Metropolitan Conference titles as well as a state championship in 1971. Olsen was named Metro Conference Coach of the Year in 1970,1971, and 1973. In 2011, Lute Olson was inducted into the Hall of Champions at LBCC.
Following his time at LBCC, he coached at Long Beach State University for one season leading them to an undefeated conference record and a Big West championship. Olsen then accepted a head coaching position at the University of Iowa. Olsen coached at the University of Iowa for nine seasons (1974-1983) with an overall record of 167-91.
Olsen finished his coaching career at the University of Arizona, where he coached from 1983-2007. During his time at Arizona, Olsen coached notable players such as Steve Kerr, Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, and Gilbert Arenas. Under Olsen, the Wildcats made 23 consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament appearances, won their first Pac-10 title, had their first Final Four appearance, and won the 1997 NCAA championship. He was voted Pac-!0 Coach of the Year seven times and made five Final Four appearances. Olsen was also selected to coach the United States national team in the 1986 International Basketball Federation World Championship where the United States team took home gold at the world championship for the first time in 32 years.
On October 23, 2008, Olsen announced his retirement from coaching. Olsen was inducted in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and was inducted in the National College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. This upcoming Fall, Olsen will be re-inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame with the 2019 class.