Olson did not appear at the news conference announcing his decision, nor was there any mention of his health in the statement released by the school.

“At this stage in my life, I want to devote my time to my children, great-grandchildren, family and friends,” Olson said in the statement. “I look forward to watching Wildcat basketball and visiting with my colleagues in the coaching profession. It is time to pass the program on to a younger staff, to transition the university to the next generation of basketball.”

It’s unclear who will be in charge for the next generation.

Speaking at a brief news conference at McKale Center, Livengood did not designate a successor — even on an interim basis. He said a national search would begin soon.

“I do not have a decision at this point in time in terms of who’s going to head our men’s basketball program,” Livengood said. “But that will be announced in the very, very short future.”

ESPN’s Dick Vitale first reported the story, saying Olson would be replaced by assistant coach Mike Dunlap, a former Denver Nuggets assistant and Metro State coach who joined the program in May. Dunlap ran practice on Thursday afternoon and declined to comment. None of the players approached after practice offered comment.

Olson’s decision sent shockwaves across a basketball-obsessed campus. Football coach Mike Stoops was swarmed by reporters after practice, and none wanted to ask about Arizona’s Homecoming game against No. 6 USC, which pits two teams tied for first in the Pac-10.

“He’s an icon,” said Stoops, who first met Olson when Stoops was a football player at Iowa. “I just hope and pray he’s in good health and happy with his decision. He deserves it. He’s put a lot of time and energy into building a tradition here, second to no other across the country.”

Olson was the coach for one season at Long Beach State before he took over at Iowa for the 1974-75 season.

He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in 2002.

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