Arizona reassigns former interim coach O'Neill

Posted: Wed Apr 23 7:21 PM

Tucson, AZ (Sports Network) - The University of Arizona announced Wednesday that former interim head men's basketball coach Kevin O'Neill has been reassigned within the athletic department.

In early November, head coach Lute Olson took a leave of absence and on December 8 extended it through the end of the campaign after filing for divorce.

O'Neill was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season and led the Wildcats to a 19-15 record and the program's 24th straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In December, he was named as Olson's designated successor after his retirement.

Olson, 73, announced on April 1 that he will resume his head coaching duties for the 2008-09 season. His contract with the school runs through the 2010-11 season.

"Kevin and I will sit down in mid-June to determine the next step," said Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood.

The 51-year-old O'Neill was hired this past May as Olson's top assistant coach. He has 11 seasons of coaching experience at the collegiate level and was also head coach of the Toronto Raptors in 2003-04.