Eddie Sutton Retires From Oklahoma State

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Eddie Sutton is retiring as Oklahoma State basketball coach.<br/><br/>Sutton said today he's retiring June 30th and ending a 36-year college career that includes three trips

Friday, May 19th 2006, 10:30 am

By: News On 6

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Eddie Sutton is retiring as Oklahoma State basketball coach.

Sutton said today he's retiring June 30th and ending a 36-year college career that includes three trips to the N-C-A-A Final Four and 798 wins that is fifth-most in NCAA Division One history.

Sutton says he considered coaching two games next season to try to get 800 career wins, but decided that would put too much pressure on his son, Sean, who becomes the new head coach.

Eddie Sutton says he'll remain with the university to help raise money for an alcohol education program.

Sutton had been on leave since February after he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following an auto accident in Stillwater.

Sutton admitted he had been drinking and has since attended alcohol rehabilitation and undergone back surgery. He was given probation and a fine after pleading no contest to the DUI charge.

The 70-year old coach was the first to lead four different schools to the NCAA Tournament as he took Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State to the tournament.

He took Arkansas to the Final Four in 1978 and Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004.