Olson Says He’ll Stay at Arizona

Lute Olson turned his back on an offer from Kentucky and decided to remain as Arizona’s basketball coach after university regents approved a salary increase and performance incentives that could add $75,000 to his annual paycheck.

The regents approved a base salary of $130,000 and a series of incentive bonuses which, if all were achieved in a given year, would be worth about $39,000. Under his current contract, Olson’s base pay has been $93,307. His total earnings package, including revenue from a television show, is estimated at $400,000 to $500,000.

Kentucky, looking to replace Eddie Sutton, who resigned after the season, reportedly offered a package worth at least $600,000.

Olson was attending a dedication naming Tucson’s Cholla High School gym for Wildcat star Sean Elliott and was not immediately available for comment.