OSU’s Sutton to stick around
Coach wants to work at least six more years
STILLWATER, OKLA. ? At age 66, Eddie Sutton isn’t planning to stop coaching basketball at Oklahoma State anytime soon.
Sutton disclosed Monday that he has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him on the job six more years.
“We haven’t finalized everything, but I’m going to be here at least five more years after this one,” Sutton said at the team’s annual media day. Then, with a smile, he added, “I’m going for 800.”
Sutton has won 702 games in 32 years as a Division I coach, placing him 14th on the all-time list and fifth among active coaches. Only three men have won 800, with two others, Bob Knight of Texas Tech and Lefty Driesell of Georgia State, likely to get there this season.
Sutton graduated from Oklahoma State in 1958. He is in his 13th season at Oklahoma State, where his son, Sean, is associate head coach and is beginning his 10th year on the staff.
“I wouldn’t have been here this long, probably, if I hadn’t had Sean here to help out,” he said.
Athletic director Harry Birdwell said, “we do intend to recommend an extension that will give Eddie an opportunity to reach some benchmarks in his coaching career that are important for our program and for his national recognition.”
With 65 more victories, Sutton would equal his mentor, the late Henry Iba, who won 767 games, most in 36 seasons at OSU.
Sutton noted that coaches such as Driesell, Lou Henson and Lute Olson are older.
“They never say anything about Lute Olson,” Sutton said of the Arizona coach. “He’s older than I am. He doesn’t look it.”