JimBob
03-04-2008, 07:12 AM
OSU coach keeps focus on his team
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/4/2008
Despite job-status rumors, he stays centered on Pokes' goals.
Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton's employment status has been a statewide conversation topic since early February, when the Cowboys were losing in seven of eight games and falling into a tie for last place in the Big 12.
Sutton and the Cowboys since have executed a 180-degree turnaround.
On Monday, athletic director Mike Holder once again refused to specifically address Sean Sutton's job status.
During a telephone interview that preceded the Monday practice, Sean Sutton said, "This situation has not bothered me, and we've never discussed it with the players. I've had a tremendous amount of support from a lot of people -- family, OSU fans and former players.
"All I can do is focus on what I can control, and that's to prepare this team and try to win games."
When the Cowboys were slumping, comments from former Cowboy coach Eddie Sutton seemed to suggest that the job security of his son, Sean Sutton, might be shaky.
". . . For (Sean) not to get an opportunity to show what he can do really upsets me," Eddie Sutton said during a Feb. 7 Tulsa radio interview.
For the sake of recruiting and for peace within the program, Eddie Sutton has said, the OSU administration should publicly announce that Sean Sutton is in no danger of being dismissed. Sean Sutton's two-season record as the head coach is 38-25 overall, 13-17 in the Big 12. He has three seasons remaining on his contract.
"Playing point guard at Kentucky, I learned how to deal with adversity at a pretty young age," Sean Sutton said. "You've got to have thick skin and not let yourself be distracted by things people say. If you let yourself get distracted, you're going to have a tough time in sports.
"Do I feel good about the future of this program? Yes. This team has made a great amount of improvement. I would expect us to be better next season, and even better in two years."
When the OSU football program was struggling during Mike Gundy's second season as head coach, Holder publicly expressed support and stressed that Gundy had a five-year contract.
On Feb. 8, when asked about Sean Sutton's status, Holder would not comment. On Monday, Holder would say only this: "The basketball team is making the statement that needs to be made. They've won five games in a row. That's the only statement that really matters."
Before Eddie Sutton's comments triggered rampant speculation, however, Holder did express support for Sean Sutton.
On Jan. 28, only hours before the Cowboys lost 64-61 at Oklahoma, Holder said, "I'm supporting Sean Sutton. He's our coach. We've got a lot of games left to play. Let's win some games. Everybody get on board and let's help him. Let's get this turned around."
On more than the one occasion, Eddie Sutton has used radio interviews to lobby on behalf of his son, and he may have inadvertently fueled the speculation that has centered on Sean Sutton.
"I can't control what he says," Sean Sutton said.
In advance of Wednesday's Bedlam meeting with Oklahoma at Gallagher-Iba Arena, OSU is riding a five-game victory streak that includes a 59-54 triumph at Texas A&M (a win that ended OSU's 19-game road losing streak), and a 61-60 conquest of No. 5 Kansas.
The five-game victory streak is OSU's longest in Big 12 play since 2005. At 16-12 overall and 7-7 in the conference, and having climbed from No. 152 to No. 73 in the Rating Percentage Index, the Cowboys are attempting to play their way into NCAA Tournament consideration.
After facing the Sooners, OSU closes the regular season with Saturday's contest at No. 9 Texas.
Holder traveled with the Cowboy basketball team for recent road games at Texas Tech and Missouri. Asked whether he feels that Holder has been supportive, Sean Sutton replied, "Yes, I do."
If Holder were to make a positive and definitive statement on the coach's job status, the most immediate benefit would be the effect on recruiting, Sean Sutton said.
"It happens all the time," Sutton said. "With every player we're recruiting, other schools are bringing up this situation."
By BILL HAISTEN World Sports Writer
3/4/2008
Despite job-status rumors, he stays centered on Pokes' goals.
Oklahoma State basketball coach Sean Sutton's employment status has been a statewide conversation topic since early February, when the Cowboys were losing in seven of eight games and falling into a tie for last place in the Big 12.
Sutton and the Cowboys since have executed a 180-degree turnaround.
On Monday, athletic director Mike Holder once again refused to specifically address Sean Sutton's job status.
During a telephone interview that preceded the Monday practice, Sean Sutton said, "This situation has not bothered me, and we've never discussed it with the players. I've had a tremendous amount of support from a lot of people -- family, OSU fans and former players.
"All I can do is focus on what I can control, and that's to prepare this team and try to win games."
When the Cowboys were slumping, comments from former Cowboy coach Eddie Sutton seemed to suggest that the job security of his son, Sean Sutton, might be shaky.
". . . For (Sean) not to get an opportunity to show what he can do really upsets me," Eddie Sutton said during a Feb. 7 Tulsa radio interview.
For the sake of recruiting and for peace within the program, Eddie Sutton has said, the OSU administration should publicly announce that Sean Sutton is in no danger of being dismissed. Sean Sutton's two-season record as the head coach is 38-25 overall, 13-17 in the Big 12. He has three seasons remaining on his contract.
"Playing point guard at Kentucky, I learned how to deal with adversity at a pretty young age," Sean Sutton said. "You've got to have thick skin and not let yourself be distracted by things people say. If you let yourself get distracted, you're going to have a tough time in sports.
"Do I feel good about the future of this program? Yes. This team has made a great amount of improvement. I would expect us to be better next season, and even better in two years."
When the OSU football program was struggling during Mike Gundy's second season as head coach, Holder publicly expressed support and stressed that Gundy had a five-year contract.
On Feb. 8, when asked about Sean Sutton's status, Holder would not comment. On Monday, Holder would say only this: "The basketball team is making the statement that needs to be made. They've won five games in a row. That's the only statement that really matters."
Before Eddie Sutton's comments triggered rampant speculation, however, Holder did express support for Sean Sutton.
On Jan. 28, only hours before the Cowboys lost 64-61 at Oklahoma, Holder said, "I'm supporting Sean Sutton. He's our coach. We've got a lot of games left to play. Let's win some games. Everybody get on board and let's help him. Let's get this turned around."
On more than the one occasion, Eddie Sutton has used radio interviews to lobby on behalf of his son, and he may have inadvertently fueled the speculation that has centered on Sean Sutton.
"I can't control what he says," Sean Sutton said.
In advance of Wednesday's Bedlam meeting with Oklahoma at Gallagher-Iba Arena, OSU is riding a five-game victory streak that includes a 59-54 triumph at Texas A&M (a win that ended OSU's 19-game road losing streak), and a 61-60 conquest of No. 5 Kansas.
The five-game victory streak is OSU's longest in Big 12 play since 2005. At 16-12 overall and 7-7 in the conference, and having climbed from No. 152 to No. 73 in the Rating Percentage Index, the Cowboys are attempting to play their way into NCAA Tournament consideration.
After facing the Sooners, OSU closes the regular season with Saturday's contest at No. 9 Texas.
Holder traveled with the Cowboy basketball team for recent road games at Texas Tech and Missouri. Asked whether he feels that Holder has been supportive, Sean Sutton replied, "Yes, I do."
If Holder were to make a positive and definitive statement on the coach's job status, the most immediate benefit would be the effect on recruiting, Sean Sutton said.
"It happens all the time," Sutton said. "With every player we're recruiting, other schools are bringing up this situation."