Lute Olson finally opened up about his season-long absence and his future at Arizona, according to a lengthy interview with ESPN.com.

Olson, Arizona's coach since 1983, took a leave of absence from the team in November for "unspecified personal reasons." It coincided with him filing for divorce from his second wife, Christine, whom he married a few years after his first wife, Bobbi, died in 2001.

"That was the whole situation," Olson told ESPN. "I obviously needed to take care of the stress and anxiety to be effective, to be fair to the kids [on the Arizona team]."

Kevin O'Neill was named interim coach in Olson's absence, but Arizona athletic director made no bones about Olson resuming full control of the team.

"Lute Olson is the coach and we're moving forward," he told ESPN.

O'Neill had a verbal agreement with the school to be Olson's successor, but that deal was contingent upon Olson not returning next season. Olson told ESPN he intends on fulfilling his contract, which runs through 2011.

"Everything changes," Livengood told ESPN. "That was done at that time for a particular reason and it coincided with the extended leave of absence [for Olson]. Lute is back and coaching right now -- period. That's not what the situation was in December."

Olson reportedly met with O'Neill earlier this week. He has a contract with Arizona for another season, but is seeking a head coaching position at other schools. If hired, he'll leave Arizona.

"We'll talk when he gets back and Kevin will then make a decision about where he's going to go," Olson told ESPN. "He deserves that time to make a decision."

In the meantime, Olson is excited about next season. He hopes his star players, Chase Budinger and Jerryd Bayless, both return for 2008-09. Along with a top notch recruiting class that includes prep star Brandon Jennings, he's optimistic about the Wildcats' chances.

"We're going to work our tails off, recharge and do what we think is reachable for us next year and that's to go for the whole thing [the national title]," Olson told ESPN.

Print this Email this Blog this  IM this

MORE FROM COLLEGE BASKETBALL

College basketball Section Front

Crean guiding Indiana through it's tough time Next season's freshmen won't measure up Beyond the Arc: Friday links and Kentucky musings Huggins hospitalized after tripping over cone Complete list of early entries to NBA draft Slideshow: Top NBA prospects Slide show: NCAA Tournament images Images: Cheerleaders from NCAA men's tournament   Sound off in our message boards Full coverage of every men's team College basketball Section Front   Add College basketball headlines to your news reader: