Former OSU player Brian Montonati, who is playing professionally in Italy: "I'm devastated. I don't understand it. I don't think Sean was given a fair shot. Out of respect for what the Suttons have done to build that program, Sean deserved a couple more years... It's a sad deal the way this has gone down. You never heard about Oklahoma State much for years until coach (Eddie) Sutton got there. Gallagher-Iba Arena is what it is today because of what coach Sutton and Sean have done. I don't agree with this decision at all. Sean is the most competitive person I've met in my life. They were playing well late in the season. He deserved a chance to fulfill his contract.”
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Former OSU player Victor Williams: "I don't think it's fair. You could see late in the season they were playing much better. He just needed a little more time to leave his mark.”
Former OSU player Daniel Bobik, shooting guard on the 2004 Final Four team: "I'm loyal to the Sutton family but I'm also loyal to the school. I feel bad for Sean. I really care about him. I feel bad it didn't work for both parties. It could have been a good fit for Sean and the school. I hope the program can bounce back from this.”
Former OSU regent Fred Harlin: "I don't like to see anyone lose their job. But the program has to succeed at a national level. Sometimes decisions have to be made that aren't popular.
OSU athletic director Mike Holder: "This is my job, to make tough decisions. I feel like it's in the best interest of our basketball program.”
OSU freshman Marshall Moses, while shooting in the gym with teammate Anthony Brown: "We're here working out, we're in the weight room. That's what we're focused on, and I know that's what Coach Sean wants us to focus on.”
Kansas coach Bill Self: "I feel bad for Sean, because I think his team got better through the course of the year ... I do care deeply about my alma mater, spent 11 years of my life at OSU, but nobody from there has contacted me and if they did, I would strongly recommend that they move in a different direction.”
Lou Watkins, chair of the OSU/A&M board of regents: "While we respect the decision, we nevertheless admire the work of Sean and Eddie to restore OSU basketball to national prominence. We know this is a difficult time for Sean and for OSU, but we are confident under the leadership of our president and VP of athletics (Holder), OSU will find the right person to lead our program. In the meantime, we wish Sean only the very best in the future.”
OSU president Burns Hargis, on Sean Sutton: "We wish him nothing but the best. I know he'll be successful.”
Holder: "As far as being fair, life's not fair. Athletics isn't fair. Best team doesn't always win.”
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If OSU made a mistake; Sean is young and will have plenty of chances to show us that. Success chooses the man sometimes, not his time or place. Maybe this will ignite the sense of urgency he seem to lack. He is a respectable man who I believe we will hear from again. Holder didn't lose the games so he shouldn't be fired, but with T-Bone supporting, (not ruling absolutley) he should be able to get the job done. If not, bring in a new one. The building blocks are in place, time to prove you belong.
Memo to Lou Watkins, chair of the OSU/A&M board of regents: You fired the wrong guy. You shoold have fired Holder. In fact, you should have never hired Holder as AD. What a crock.
Brian, Eddie built up the program. Not Sean. If you think his record and overall program is representative of a good coach, I would hate to see a bad coach. He will never get a Big 12 position because everyone knows how little he is capable of doing without riding on daddy's coat tails. Loyalty is fine. Winning games is better. As for the basketball community and their fondness for Sutton...uh, no. If he had respect in the community, he would be in the HOF. That is more than likely never going to happen either. I respect Eddie probably more than any other present/past OSU coach except Gary Ward. But he stepped on too many toes and alienated too many people in the profession. He is respected as a coach and that is about it. This decision will be the benchmark for success in the VERY near future.
I think Holder should be fired. Suttons rebuilt the osu program. What were they given in return. I believe sitler's article in the tulsa world that said pickens and holder are in it together. I believe Sean is a good coach and I only hope he lands a job at a big 12 school and kicks osu butt. I the only thing i can think worse than this or equal is what tulsa did to dave radar. It is rare when a coach is loyal to a school and look what happens. Good luck getting a coach. I think osu will find out how much respect the basketball community has for the sutton family. T-bum better get ready to shell out some bucks. I notice osu officials are saying for people to continue to support osu. forget it. dumb decissions mean less followers.
Roy, Lewisberry - Why are you so obsessed with OSU sports? Besides the fact that your comments demonstrate that you have no job and no life other than to deride Oklahoma State athletics. You are an Internet troll, and a POS member of the OU fan base.
By the way, Billy Gillispie would be a great fit at OSU...he's already got two DUI's and I hear he has a real problem with soccer moms so he'll be knocking them off the streets of Stillwater soon enough!
The answer to your question Jerry is that OSU has a respectable basketball program, which makes it a lure to other coaches. Like it or not the football program, at this point, is a stepping stone for coaches like Les Miles. Gundy is thrilled to be where he is so you should be glad to have him. Look at how the guy is recruiting...do you really think you can land anyone better than him and think that coach will stick after moderate success???
What they missed on this article was Byron Houston's comments. "I'm very devastated, said the incarcerated Houston, I felt Sean had a real firm grip on things! He was a real hard worker…a real white knuckle kind of guy you know? He’d stroke it out with the best of em if he thought he could squeeze an once of good out of a situation!”
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