Great debate: Who's better? Eddie Sutton vs. Billy Tubbs

By Berry Tramel

Published: May 25, 2006

Coaching legends' resumes run neck and neck

Billy Tubbs said something in jest the other day. He was trying to be funny. But Tubbs, as funny as he was, always was even more interesting. And this was no exception.

In salute to the retiring Eddie Sutton, Tubbs paid him a high compliment, calling Sutton the "second-best" coach in state history.

In the Tubbs poll, you know who is No. 1.

But it's a great debate. Who was the better coach? From 1981 through 2006, Tubbs or Sutton roamed the hardwood sidelines in either Norman or Stillwater or, for four years, both.

For their careers in total, Sutton clearly leads, with 798 victories and an Arkansas legacy that has few peers.

But just in Oklahoma, it's a horse race, with Sutton's 16 years and Tubbs' 14.

NCAA title games: Tubbs 1, Sutton 0.

Final Fours: Sutton 2, Tubbs 1.

Regional finals: Sutton 3, Tubbs 2.

Sweet 16s: Sutton 6, Tubbs 4.

NCAA record: Sutton 22-13, Tubbs 15-9.

Conference titles: Tubbs 4, Sutton 2.

But sometimes you have to judge on more than raw numbers.

Like how they left the program. Tubbs left the Sooners in decent shape short-term, with Ryan Minor, but Sutton appears to have left more talent on which to build.

Long-term, both Sutton and Tubbs built consistent powers. Under Tubbs, the Sooners ranked with North Carolina as the biggest winner of the 1980s. Under Sutton, the Cowboys became a national force, and Gallagher-Iba became a vaunted snakepit.

We also must analyze what they inherited. Tubbs took over a train wreck of a roster. Sutton took over Sweet 16 talent. Tubbs also took over a program only 13 months removed from a Big Eight title. Sutton took over a program 25 years removed from a Big Eight title.

It's a fun debate with no loser. What Tubbs did at OU was amazing. What Sutton did at OSU was extraordinary.

Give the slight edge to Sutton.

Former Cowboy gets a shot in NFL

Hoopsters on the gridiron: Onye Ibekwe

More than 40 years ago, the Dallas Cowboys took a flier on a basketball player. Utah State's Cornell Green turned into a fine NFL safety.

This decade, the San Diego Chargers did the same with a Kent State hoopster. Now Antonio Gates is perhaps football's best tight end.

The NFL is a copycat league. And former Oklahoma State Cowboy Onye Ibekwe could be the beneficiary.

Ibekwe, who spent a year and a half on the OSU basketball bench, transferred to Long Beach State in January 2004. Last season, Ibekwe averaged 4.1 points and 4.4 rebounds.

But Ibekwe's athletic future now rests with football. He signed a free-agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers as a 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end.

"He has some physical tools," 49er coach Mike Nolan told the San Francisco Chronicle. "He also has a lot to learn."

Ibekwe played in 11 games for OSU in 2002-03, averaging 0.8 points and 1.2 rebounds. He redshirted the next season and left before second semester, meaning he gave up a trip to the Final Four.

Ibekwe hasn't played football since high school (Los Angeles Crenshaw), and Long Beach State doesn't even field a football team.

But the NFL looks under rocks for ballplayers.

Ibekwe was impressive during a pro day at El Camino Community College in April. He reportedly ran a 4.7-second 40 on wet grass and had a vertical jump of 36½ inches.

This year alone, two other college basketball players have signed free-agent contracts.

George Mason's Jai Lewis, a 6-5 power forward, signed with the New York Giants and is trying out at left tackle. UConn's Ed Nelson, a 6-7 power forward, signed with the St. Louis Rams but already has been cut.

NCAA Tournament expansion ahead?
Coaches want the NCAA basketball committee to explore expanding the NCAA Tournament, from 65 teams to 68 or even 80.

Of course, the tournament should go the other way, back to 64, a pristine, perfect number. But this discussion isn't about numerical symmetry. It's about coaches' quest to sustain their power.

A common theme has emerged from coaches: coaches are losing their jobs for not making the NCAAs. That's only half the truth.

Coaches are losing their jobs for missing the NCAA Tournament and because they're making crazy amounts of money. Big paychecks create big expectations, which create big paychecks. Lose the big expectations, lose the big paychecks.

We will not be fooled by an expanded NCAA Tournament. Making a field of 80 will further dilute the accomplishment. Truth is, the ploy would backfire.

Make the NCAA Tournament? That's a joke if the field is expanded. Coaches had better win once they get there.