JimBob
02-02-2008, 07:08 AM
A coach's bittersweet success
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
2/2/2008
Scott's joy tempered by Sean's pain
IT'S NOT OFTEN that a coach uses words like "bittersweet, difficult and hard" when his team is experiencing a wildly successful season, which includes a current seven-game winning streak.
But Oral Roberts isn't the only team on the mind of Golden Eagles' coach Scott Sutton these days. Blood's thicker than basketball for Sutton, which is why he can't fully enjoy ORU's unexpected success.
Heading into Saturday's 7:05 p.m. contest against Centenary, ORU stands a sparkling 14-5 overall and leads the Summit League with a perfect 9-0 mark. Not bad for what was supposed to be a re building season.
But it's the teams coached by Sutton's father and brother that have dominated headlines. And most of those stories haven't been positive.
Sutton's legendary father, Eddie Sutton, has generated national media attention ever since he decided to come out of retirement in late December to chase the two victories he needs to become only the fifth coach in Division I history to record 800 wins.
Eddie Sutton was the target of criticism by some who disagreed with his motivation for accepting the interim job at San Francisco. Those critical comments have mounted as the Dons have gone 1-7 since Sutton took over, leaving him one victory short of his goal.
The negative shots fired at Eddie Sutton pale in comparison to what Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton has endured in his second season with the Cowboys.
OSU will take a 10-10 overall record, including a 1-5 start in Big 12 Conference play, into today's 1 p.m. game at Texas Tech. Angry supporters have blamed Sean for the Pokes' problems, while some have called for him to be fired.
An anxious Scott Sutton has closely watched the struggles of his father and older brother from afar. Like them, the majority of his time is spent with his own program, which just might be the best of the four Division I teams in Oklahoma this season.
"It has been bittersweet," Scott said of an ORU season that already includes victories over OSU and Tulsa. "It's difficult to watch what my dad and Sean are going through. It's especially hard with Sean."
Scott's confident his father will eventually notch that 800th win, which could come as soon as today when San Francisco plays at Pepperdine.
"I talk to him just about every day, and he's doing great," Scott said. "This (coaching) is what my dad loves to do.
"He's disappointed they haven't won more, but he's very upbeat. I can tell he's still excited about what he's doing."
Scott's also in contact with Sean. But it's mostly via text messaging, because Scott knows how deeply Sean immerses himself into his team during the season.
"We text more than we talk," Scott said. "No matter what type of season (OSU's) having, he always gets so busy and so caught up with all the decisions.
"And I'm sure he's taken on even more this season."
Scott doesn't have to talk to his brother to understand the toll the losses are taking on Sean. When OSU played at Oklahoma in last Monday's Bedlam Series game, Scott watched the game on television and listened to his brother talk during a halftime interview.
Already feeling the incredible pressure of a season plagued by narrow losses, Sean has been ill with an apparent viral infection that has severely affected his voice and often left him coughing uncontrollably.
"It's been hard to watch," Scott said. "You can ask my wife. I was going crazy (Monday) night watching the Bedlam game.
"I was just hoping something good would happen to them (Cowboys) at the end, because Sean deserves something good to happen."
In what has become a frustrating pattern, OSU played the Sooners tough before faltering at the end is a 64-61 loss. The same thing happened the week before, with losses at home to nationally ranked teams in Texas (63-61) and Texas A&M (59-56).
"Sean put his team in position to win all those games," Scott said. "He's drawing up great plays to get wide-open shots to either tie or win, but kids have to make plays."
Sean inherited a pressure-packed situation when he replaced his father. Eddie had been forced to resign for personal reasons, leaving his son in a difficult spot both personally and professionally.
"I know all the problems, the (player) defections and all the things that had happened to the program when Sean took over," Scott said. "And for people to even talk about that (firing Sean), I think is absolutely ludicrous."
The most bittersweet moment for Scott came when ORU beat OSU by 15 points in December. He was thrilled for ORU, but knew it would increase the pressure on his brother.
"It would have made it a lot easier if I knew (OSU) was having a great year and everything was going to be fine for Sean," Scott said. "Then I wouldn't have worried as much."
No matter where ORU is playing, Scott keeps close tabs on OSU and San Francisco. When the Eagles are on the road, Scott calls his wife shortly after his game finishes for updates.
"I follow them as closely as any fan would follow them," Scott said. "I'm either watching them play, or checking on them."
Perhaps today will prove to be the Super Saturday that Scott has hoped for ever since his father got back in the game.
With ORU, OSU and San Francisco all in action, Scott finally could fully enjoy his team's win if Eddie and Sean can help him pull off a Sutton sweep.
By DAVE SITTLER World Sports Columnist
2/2/2008
Scott's joy tempered by Sean's pain
IT'S NOT OFTEN that a coach uses words like "bittersweet, difficult and hard" when his team is experiencing a wildly successful season, which includes a current seven-game winning streak.
But Oral Roberts isn't the only team on the mind of Golden Eagles' coach Scott Sutton these days. Blood's thicker than basketball for Sutton, which is why he can't fully enjoy ORU's unexpected success.
Heading into Saturday's 7:05 p.m. contest against Centenary, ORU stands a sparkling 14-5 overall and leads the Summit League with a perfect 9-0 mark. Not bad for what was supposed to be a re building season.
But it's the teams coached by Sutton's father and brother that have dominated headlines. And most of those stories haven't been positive.
Sutton's legendary father, Eddie Sutton, has generated national media attention ever since he decided to come out of retirement in late December to chase the two victories he needs to become only the fifth coach in Division I history to record 800 wins.
Eddie Sutton was the target of criticism by some who disagreed with his motivation for accepting the interim job at San Francisco. Those critical comments have mounted as the Dons have gone 1-7 since Sutton took over, leaving him one victory short of his goal.
The negative shots fired at Eddie Sutton pale in comparison to what Oklahoma State coach Sean Sutton has endured in his second season with the Cowboys.
OSU will take a 10-10 overall record, including a 1-5 start in Big 12 Conference play, into today's 1 p.m. game at Texas Tech. Angry supporters have blamed Sean for the Pokes' problems, while some have called for him to be fired.
An anxious Scott Sutton has closely watched the struggles of his father and older brother from afar. Like them, the majority of his time is spent with his own program, which just might be the best of the four Division I teams in Oklahoma this season.
"It has been bittersweet," Scott said of an ORU season that already includes victories over OSU and Tulsa. "It's difficult to watch what my dad and Sean are going through. It's especially hard with Sean."
Scott's confident his father will eventually notch that 800th win, which could come as soon as today when San Francisco plays at Pepperdine.
"I talk to him just about every day, and he's doing great," Scott said. "This (coaching) is what my dad loves to do.
"He's disappointed they haven't won more, but he's very upbeat. I can tell he's still excited about what he's doing."
Scott's also in contact with Sean. But it's mostly via text messaging, because Scott knows how deeply Sean immerses himself into his team during the season.
"We text more than we talk," Scott said. "No matter what type of season (OSU's) having, he always gets so busy and so caught up with all the decisions.
"And I'm sure he's taken on even more this season."
Scott doesn't have to talk to his brother to understand the toll the losses are taking on Sean. When OSU played at Oklahoma in last Monday's Bedlam Series game, Scott watched the game on television and listened to his brother talk during a halftime interview.
Already feeling the incredible pressure of a season plagued by narrow losses, Sean has been ill with an apparent viral infection that has severely affected his voice and often left him coughing uncontrollably.
"It's been hard to watch," Scott said. "You can ask my wife. I was going crazy (Monday) night watching the Bedlam game.
"I was just hoping something good would happen to them (Cowboys) at the end, because Sean deserves something good to happen."
In what has become a frustrating pattern, OSU played the Sooners tough before faltering at the end is a 64-61 loss. The same thing happened the week before, with losses at home to nationally ranked teams in Texas (63-61) and Texas A&M (59-56).
"Sean put his team in position to win all those games," Scott said. "He's drawing up great plays to get wide-open shots to either tie or win, but kids have to make plays."
Sean inherited a pressure-packed situation when he replaced his father. Eddie had been forced to resign for personal reasons, leaving his son in a difficult spot both personally and professionally.
"I know all the problems, the (player) defections and all the things that had happened to the program when Sean took over," Scott said. "And for people to even talk about that (firing Sean), I think is absolutely ludicrous."
The most bittersweet moment for Scott came when ORU beat OSU by 15 points in December. He was thrilled for ORU, but knew it would increase the pressure on his brother.
"It would have made it a lot easier if I knew (OSU) was having a great year and everything was going to be fine for Sean," Scott said. "Then I wouldn't have worried as much."
No matter where ORU is playing, Scott keeps close tabs on OSU and San Francisco. When the Eagles are on the road, Scott calls his wife shortly after his game finishes for updates.
"I follow them as closely as any fan would follow them," Scott said. "I'm either watching them play, or checking on them."
Perhaps today will prove to be the Super Saturday that Scott has hoped for ever since his father got back in the game.
With ORU, OSU and San Francisco all in action, Scott finally could fully enjoy his team's win if Eddie and Sean can help him pull off a Sutton sweep.