Sutton announces retirement
The Oklahoman
Published: May 19, 2006
STILLWATER --- Eddie Sutton officially announced his retirement as basketball coach at Oklahoma State, effective June 30.
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"I am doing this because of what's right for me and what's right for the basketball program at Oklahoma State," Sutton said.
Upon his retirement, Sutton's son Sean will take over as the Cowboys head coach.
Sutton, 70, finishes his 35 year career with 798 wins. He said he was tempted to reach the 800-win mark.
"I was going to coach 2 games and win 800, but I thought that was wrong if I retired after those two games, because of the pressure it put on Sean," Sutton said. "I know this is the right decision."
Sutton is fifth in all-time coaching wins. Before coming to OSU, Sutton coached at Creighton, Arkansas and Kentucky. Sutton's 1978 Arkansas team also made the Final Four.
Sutton said he has agreed to take on a new project, establishing a new program of alcohol education at Oklahoma State.
Sutton recently pleaded no contest to DUI - his blood alcohol level was 0.22 - and finished a stint in alcohol rehab. Sutton had undergone alcohol treatment previously, going to the Betty Ford Center in 1987. He was sentenced to a year on probation.
Sutton said the highest point of his career at Oklahoma State were his Final Four appearances in 1995 and 2004 and the lowpoint was the Jan. 27, 2001 plane crash which took the lives of 10 members of the OSU basketball program.
"With your support I think Sean can take this program to even greater heights," Sutton said.
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