Scott Sutton Making Move To TU?

One local name continues to pop up in the Golden Hurricane basketball head coaching search.

Like Bill Self did 15 years ago, many Tulsa fans are hoping that Oral Roberts head coach Scott Sutton will leave ORU for a cross-town opportunity at 11th and Harvard.

"Tulsa is a great job but I have a great job as well," Sutton said before ORU practice on Tuesday. "ORU is a great place. Tulsa's a great city to live in. I've always said it will take a special situation to get me to think about leaving."

As the Golden Eagles prepare for Wednesday's first round NIT matchup with Nevada, Sutton, who has been at ORU for 17 years, could not avoid the questions about his future. The coaching veteran has heard similar questions over the years.

"When you have success that comes with the territory," he said. "You can't worry about that stuff right now. My focus, as it should be, is about winning games and this team."

Sutton was mentioned as a head coaching candidate in recent years for schools like Creighton and South Florida. Wichita State was also a possibility for Sutton.

All of those schools will be in the NCAA tournament this week. Tulsa fans and administration want a coach that can get them back to that level after missing the sport's biggest stage for a ninth straight season.

Tulsa fired Doug Wojcik on Sunday after winning 140 games over seven seasons as the Golden Hurricane head coach.

3/11/12 Related Story: Tulsa Fires Head Men's Basketball Coach Doug Wojcik

New Tulsa athletic director Ross Parmley said the next TU coach will be one that can re-energize the "apathetic" fan base.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of people calling Ross about trying to get their names in the door and being interviewed for that job," said Sutton. "I'm sure they'll find a good replacement."

ORU hosts Nevada at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday.