Olson Reportedly Will Be Named as Kentucky’s Coach
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Arizona Coach Lute Olson will be named basketball coach at the University of Kentucky Monday, succeeding Joe B. Hall, ESPN reported Saturday.
However, Otis Singletary, the university’s president, said: “There is no choice at this point. I’d like to do it (name a coach) by Monday, if we have a candidate, but there’s no magic in it. We are still interviewing, and we are not ready to make an announcement.â€
Network announcers Dick Vitale and Bob Ley said Olson was offered a contract in excess of $500,000 a year, with a base salary “approaching six figures, a TV deal in the six-figure range†and a basketball camp, among other considerations.
They said Arizona was trying to put together a counteroffer, “but it might be too late.â€
Hall resigned after 13 seasons last weekend.
Olson told the Lexington Herald-Leader Friday that it would be premature for him to comment on his chance of being named Kentucky’s new coach.
Other finalists for the post, according to the newspaper, were South Florida Coach Lee Rose and former Kentucky assistant coach Dickie Parsons.
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