Member of '97 NCAA title team to assist Olson

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TUCSON, Ariz. -- Miles Simon, a member of Arizona's 1997 national championship team, has been hired as an assistant to coach Lute Olson, the athletic department announced Thursday.

The hiring of the 29-year-old Simon coincides with a restructuring of Olson's staff.

Reggie Geary, another former Wildcats player hired as an assistant two months ago, will become recruiting coordinator and coordinator of basketball operations.

Ryan Hansen, who had held the basketball operations post, will become a liaison between the men's basketball program and the athletic department development office in several funding projects.

Jack Murphy loses the title of recruiting coordinator but will continue to serve as the program's video coordinator. Associate head coach Jim Rosborough and assistant coach Josh Pastner will remain in their positions.

Rodney Tention, an assistant to Olson for eight years, left in April to become head coach at Loyola Marymount Lions.

Simon played professional basketball for six seasons, one with the NBA's Orlando Magic, and the next five with teams in the Continental Basketball Association, Israel, Italy, Venezuela and Turkey.

The Wildcats were 106-27 in Simon's years with the school. He was a first-team All-American selection by The Associated Press in 1998. The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 14.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and four assists in his college career.

After retiring as a player in December, Simon returned to Tucson to finish requirements for a bachelor's degree in family studies. He earned his degree on July 20.

Olson is entering his 23rd season at Arizona. The Wildcats open their season Nov. 21 against Kansas at the Maui Invitational.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

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