OSU coach Sean Sutton resigns

Apr 1, 2008 - 8:35 PM OKLAHOMA CITY (Ticker) - Sean Sutton on Tuesday resigned as head coach of the Oklahoma State men's basketball team.

Cowboys vice president of athletics Mike Holder and Sutton met on Monday to discuss the status of the program and came to the conclusion it would be in the best interest of the program for Sutton to resign.

"This was an extremely difficult decision and this is a sad day for me personally and this university," Holder said. "We cannot overlook the contributions Sean has made to OSU as a player, assistant coach and head coach."

"Sean played a major role in the ascension of OSU basketball into the top tier of the nation," OSU president Burns Hargis said. "While this was indeed a tough decision for everyone we all agree that it is the right decision for the future of the program and for Sean."

The 39-year-old Sutton, who it appears is being pushed out, had three years remaining on a five-year contract.

Sutton had a 39-28 record in two seasons as head coach, losing in the first round of the NIT each year. OSU went 17-16 this year, struggling early, but reeling off five straight wins late in the season.

"I want the fans and my OSU family to know how much I have appreciated their support over the last 17 years," Sutton said. "It has been a great experience and I have loved every minute of my time here at OSU."

Sutton began running the program on an interim basis in 2005 after coach Eddie Sutton - his father - left the team following a drunken driving accident.

After missing the final 10 games of the season, Eddie Sutton stepped down and Sean Sutton was eventually named coach.

The elder Sutton made news this season when he came out of retirement to coach San Francisco in a move that allowed him to claim his 800th coaching victory. He had 798 wins when he left OSU.