O'Neill will keep Arizona on solid ground this season

As unfortunate as it is for the Arizona Wildcats to lose their Hall of Fame coach, Lute Olson, for the remainder of the season, they are fortunate they have an excellent replacement in Kevin O'Neill. And, if you know O'Neill's personality, you know he won't be playing the role of the substitute teacher.

O'Neill returned to Arizona's coaching staff this past spring after spending the previous seven years as an NBA head coach and assistant coach. With a reputation for incredible coaching intensity, he was brought back to Tucson to be, as Olson described him, "the hammer" in areas of discipline both on and off the court. In fact, when I talked to Olson about it this summer, he was ecstatic to have O'Neill back.

To continue reading this article you must be an Insider

Already an Insider? Sign in below:

• Username
• Password
• Sign In with Facebook

• ESPN The Magazine subscribers

  Activate your Insider account »

• Need more information?

  View Insider Benefits »

... or become an today

• 1 Year Membership - $3.33 a month

  Includes a 1 YEAR subscription to ESPN The Magazine - Over 62% off the monthly price!

• 2 Year Membership - $2.50 a month

  Includes a 2 YEAR subscription to ESPN The Magazine - Over 72% off the monthly price!

• Monthly Membership - $8.95 a month
• 

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe

Fran Fraschilla

College Basketball

• Follow
• Archive

Fran Fraschilla is a college basketball analyst for ESPN. He formerly was the head coach at Manhattan, St. John's and New Mexico.