Eddie Suttonwas one of history's most successful and respected college basketball coaches. He led four schools to the NCAA tournament, won over 800 games, and reached three Final Fours. He also mentored many players and coaches who followed his footsteps. He was placed into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020, shortly before his death at 84.
Eddie Sutton: From Player to Coach
At an early age, he developed a passion for basketball and earned a scholarship to play at Oklahoma AM (now Oklahoma State) under the legendary coach Henry Iba. He played guard for the Cowboys from 1955 to 1958 and helped them upset Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain in 1957.
After graduating from Oklahoma State with a bachelor's degree in 1958, Sutton married Patsy Wright, whom he had met as an undergraduate. They had three sons together. He then coached at Tulsa Central High School for seven years, winning four state championships.
The Arkansas Years
Sutton's career took off when he became the head coach at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 1974. He inherited a struggling program that had won only 39 games in the previous four seasons. He quickly turned it around by recruiting talented players such as Sidney Moncrief, Ron Brewer, and Marvin Delph, who formed the famous "Triplets" trio.
Sutton led the Razorbacks to nine NCAA tournament appearances in his 11 seasons at Arkansas. He won five Southwest Conference regular season titles and three conference tournament titles.
The Kentucky Scandal
In 1985, Sutton left Arkansas to take over the prestigious but troubled program at the University of Kentucky. The NCAA placed the Wildcats on probation for recruiting violations under former coach Joe B. Hall. Sutton vowed to restore Kentucky's glory and integrity.
Sutton immediately succeeded at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats to two Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament titles in his first three seasons. He also took them to three NCAA tournaments, reaching the Elite Eight in 1986 and the Sweet Sixteen in 1988. He coached some of Kentucky's all-time greats, such as Kenny Walker, Rex Chapman, and Ed Davender.
However, Sutton's tenure at Kentucky ended abruptly and disgracefully in 1989 when another scandal rocked the program. It was revealed that one of Sutton's assistants had sent $1,000 in cash to a recruit's father in an envelope bearing Sutton's name.
The Final Years
Sutton's career at Oklahoma State ended in controversy and tragedy in 2006. He took a leave of absence from coaching and entered a treatment facility.
Sutton announced his retirement on May 19, 2006, handing over the reins to his son Sean Sutton, who had been named the head coach designate in 2004. Eddie Sutton finished his career at Oklahoma State with a record of 368-151. He was honored by having the court at Gallagher-Iba Arena named after him in 2005.
Conclusion:
Sutton was inducted into the College Basketball. He was nominated several times for the Basketball Hall of Fame. Still, he was repeatedly snubbed until 2020, when he was finally elected as part of a star-studded class that included Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. Sutton died in Tulsa on May 23, 2020, due to natural causes. His sons and their families surrounded him. Sutton is remembered as one of the greatest coaches of all time and a man who overcame many challenges and inspired many people. He left a lasting legacy on college basketball and on the lives of those who knew him.
