OSU officials working on contract extension for Sean Sutton

<br>STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Officials at Oklahoma State are working on a contract extension for associate head coach Sean Sutton that would keep him in Stillwater and possibly position him to replace

Thursday, March 11th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) _ Officials at Oklahoma State are working on a contract extension for associate head coach Sean Sutton that would keep him in Stillwater and possibly position him to replace his father, Eddie Sutton, as head coach of the Cowboys, according to published reports.

OSU athletic director Harry Birdwell said Sean Sutton's contract would be reviewed after the season but he declined to elaborate.

Sean Sutton told the Tulsa World that he and Birdwell ``have had some discussions, and when the time is right and this season's over with, there's a good chance we'll sit down again and visit about my future. There certainly has not been anything guaranteed at this point.''

Sutton said Wednesday he has withdrawn his name from consideration for the vacancy at Southern Methodist.

``I'm not a candidate for any job at this point,'' Sutton told The Oklahoman. ``I really like the job I have right now.''

Sutton, 35, interviewed for the opening at Clemson last year and was thought to be a candidate for several other jobs.

Sutton played four seasons for his father, two at Kentucky and the final two at Oklahoma State. He's since been an assistant under Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State for 11 years, being elevated to associate head coach in 2000.

OSU regent Fred Harlan said, ``I know Eddie wants Sean to be his successor. Sean is a good coach. He and his father work well together. Eddie has mentored Sean to be a head coach, maybe even the head coach someday at Oklahoma State.''

Eddie Sutton was named Big 12 Coach of the Year this week after leading OSU to its first outright league championship since 1965. He turns 68 on Friday and has announced he will coach next season and possibly longer.