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Re: the March 9 column "It's time for Wildcats, Olson to decide if they're in or out" by Greg Hansen.

How soon we forget — if you don't believe it, read Hansen's column in the Star.

Coach Lute Olson has asked for a year off and this may come as news to Hansen, but Coach Olson owes the Star and Hansen nothing.

For 25 years we Arizona fans have been able to bask in the glory Olson has brought to Tucson and the UA. If he wants to drop out of the limelight for a short while, he has earned it and deserves it.

My thoughts to Hansen: So shut up already. Let Olson get his personal life straightened out. He has had no scandal in this program, he has brought pride to the program. Good luck Coach O, we are rooting for you.

Great, Coach Lute Olson, a Hall of Fame coach, is coming back. He should have retired for the good of the team.

The Olson teams of the last two or three years have been a showcase for the NBA as individual players. The team is trying to establish some identity, but with the ongoing coaching situation, it is difficult.

Kevin O'Neill was brought in to toughen up the defense, and he has had some success under difficult conditions. We will probably have about six more years of rebuilding.

Olson will have to start over, which should take a couple of years, then recruiting will probably suffer as he will then possibly retire. A new coach will start over and take two to three years to institute his program.

Coach Olson, please retire on a high note and take the title "interim"off O'Neill.

I don't understand all this hype about "what's it now going to take to get into the NCAA tournament?"

Let's face up to reality and tell it like it is. They're not worthy of an invite with their record and the way they've played the last few weeks.

Why is everyone trying to preserve something they don't deserve? Reality is better for everyone and then start it over. Hanging on to mediocrity will never gain the prize.

I think Lute Olson's time is about up. He has taken us to several NCAA tournaments, won a championship in 1997, and has nothing more to prove as he has taken all fans to the mountaintop. He has also won several awards and letters of distinction as well as put muscle into Arizona Wildcat basketball.

I feel that he has done it all. UA should keep the present coach as he has shown good potential to stay.

In regards to recent negative letters to the editor on Kevin O'Neill, some consideration should be given to the circumstances he is working in. He was employed as an assistant coach with no contract at one-third Lute Olson's salary. He has had to act as head coach who is short one assistant and with a no-talent bench that Olson recruited.

O'Neill isn't perfect, but he has performed well under the circumstances — without support from Olson. While at senior day, I didn't see Olson speak to or give O'Neill an encouraging pat on the back. He also hasn't offered any of his salary or bonus to O'Neill for helping him out. Let's give O'Neill the support he has earned.