Sutton: I'd Visit With Wichita State

Friday, April 13th 2007, 7:45 pm

By: News On 6

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Former Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton has said he would listen if Wichita State wanted to hire him to fill its vacant basketball coaching job, but that he doubted that would happen.

Sutton, 71, told the Wichita Eagle in a story published Friday that he was disappointed that his son, Oral Roberts coach Scott Sutton, took his name out of consideration for the Wichita State job on Wednesday.

Eddie Sutton said the job at Wichita State is a good one because of great fan support, a nice arena and a nice city.

Eddie Sutton said he didn't think Wichita State athletic director Jim Schaus would be interested in him, but "if they called I would certainly visit with them."

Sutton told the Wichita newspaper that he has been told by a friend and NCAA Division I athletic director that he could have a job when that school's coach leaves, likely within one year. Sutton would not identify the athletic director.

Sutton has a 798-315 record at the Division I level in 36 seasons at Oklahoma State, Kentucky, Arkansas and Creighton. He won 1,000 games when his high school and junior college coaching records are included in his career totals.

Sutton's retirement from Oklahoma State in May 2006 came after he took a medical leave following a Feb. 10, 2006, accident that resulted in charges of aggravated DUI, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. He pleaded no contest to the charges last May, received a one-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay a fine.

"I'm not satisfied with the way I left it," Sutton told the Wichita newspaper. "That's one reason I want to go back, for sure. I want to show people that I have my life straightened out."

Since his retirement, Sutton has worked to establish a new alcohol education and support program at Oklahoma State. He underwent back surgery shortly after the accident.

"I feel better now than I have at any time in the last five years," he said. "I had that back problem and I could hardly get off the bench. I can coach as well as I ever have. The one thing I've missed most -- and there are some things you don't miss -- is that daily association you had with the student-athletes, the players, and the coaching staff. I miss the fellowship."