Yes, Lute Olson has retired. I already have been spending more time than i would care to on this for FanHouse, and expect to be doing a lot more. And yes, the rumors are already flying that Arizona will go after Jamie Dixon  or Gonzaga Coach Mark Few.

There’s really nothing that can be done about the rumors at this point. Dixon has been mentioned as being a possibility for Arizona when Olson retired for some time. It’s nothing new. All anyone — including Arizona — can do is wait until April. There is no way any coach Arizona would like to hire — that is presently employed — would leave his team right now. Definitely not Dixon or Few. Especially considering the potential of the teams they have.

Cynically, the way Olson has left is the best way possible for keeping Dixon. Here’s one thing I noted.

As far as the Wildcat team, this looks like a lost season and definitely a lost year for recruiting. Lute Olson certainly didn’t intend it, but he leaves Arizona mess. Two years of interim coaches. Recruiting has suffered — Abdul Gaddy and Solomon Hill have all but said they are re-opening their recruitment. Talent has fled to Europe — and after this year it is good-bye to Chase Budinger. Don’t be surprised if Nic Wise and Jordan Hill also get out after their junior year.

Add in the fact that any coach hired would have to clean that up and follow a legend. Something that is rarely a formula for long-term job security. Long-term, Arizona is a great job. Short-term, a coach is looking at money, a mess and then rebuilding his reputation somewhere else.

I’m rooting for Mike Stoops’ Arizona football team to implode in the second half. Forcing another coaching change — and stretching money with buyouts — to make it more difficult for the Arizona Athletic Department to throw too much money at Dixon for him to say no.