Sport(s) Basketball 1995–1999 Oral Roberts (asst.) Title Head coach 1999–present Oral Roberts | Team Oral Roberts Name Scott Sutton 1992–1994 Oklahoma State | |
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Born June 3, 1970 (age 53)
Omaha, Nebraska ( 1970-06-03 ) | ||
Scott sutton interview
Scott Sutton (born June 3, 1970) is the former men's basketball coach for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. Sutton is the all-time wins leader in school history while leading ORU to three NCAA Tournament, two National Invitational Tournament and two CollegeInsider.com Tournament postseason appearances in 14 seasons. The Golden Eagles have won 20 or more games in seven of the past 10 seasons.
Contents
- Scott sutton interview
- Head coaching record
- Oral Roberts Assistant Coach
- Oral Roberts head coach
- Honors and awards
- Personal life
- References
Scott is the youngest son of college basketball coach Eddie Sutton. One of Scott's brothers is Sean Sutton, the former head coach of Oklahoma State University and current assistant coach at ORU.
Sutton is the second ORU coach since Ken Trickey (Dick Acres in 1984 was the other) to reach the NCAA tournament and only the fifth since Trickey to take ORU to postseason play. The others were Jerry Hale (NIT – 1975, 1977), Ken Hayes (NIT – 1982), Acres, and Bill Self (NIT – 1997), who coached Kansas to the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship.
Head coaching record
Source:
Oral Roberts – Assistant Coach
Sutton's coaching career started when he was hired as an administrative assistant by former ORU head coach Bill Self prior to the 1995–96 season. Sutton served on Self's staff from 1995–1997 and Barry Hinson's staff from 1997–1999. In those four seasons, ORU posted a 75–39 (.658) record.
Oral Roberts – head coach
Scott was named the 11th head coach in school history on May 6, 1999. In 14 seasons at ORU, Sutton is 270–177 (.604). Since the start of the 2001–02 season, Sutton has guided the Golden Eagles to a 247–141 (.637) mark. During that same span, ORU has finished either first or second in the conference standings nine times. Not only have the Golden Eagles averaged 19.3 wins annually in Sutton's 14 seasons, but over the last nine years that figure has grown to 21.7 victories per season. Sutton has guided ORU to seven 20-win seasons, five Summit League regular-season titles, three tournament championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances, two NIT trips and two visits to the CIT. During Sutton's tenure, ORU has defeated Arkansas, Georgetown, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma State, Saint Louis, Seton Hall, South Florida, Southern Cal, Stanford, Texas Tech, Utah, Wichita State and Xavier.
In 14 seasons at the reins, Sutton has produced two All-Americans (Caleb Green and Dominique Morrison), an NBA player (Larry Owens), five Freshman All-Americans, 27 all-conference selections, four conference players of the year, four conference newcomers of the year, three conference sixth man of the year picks, and two conference defensive players of the year.
Sutton has said he is comfortable and happy at ORU. Sutton told the Tulsa World in May 2012 that "it would take something very special. I'd never say never. However, I'm not out there chasing jobs. I'm not chasing the money."
On April 10, 2017, Oral Roberts dismissed Sutton after finishing the season 9-22 and last in their conference, which was the worst in the 18 years he's coached at ORU.
Honors and awards
Scott Sutton became the all-time wins leader at ORU with an 81–73 win over North Dakota State on February 5, 2011. The win gave Sutton 215 wins as the head coach of the Golden Eagles. ORU's previous leader was Ken Trickey, with 214 wins over 11 seasons (1969–74, 1987–93).
Sutton has been crowned conference coach of the year three times in his career: 2002, 2008 and 2012
In 2007, Sutton was one of four finalists for the Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award, presented annually by Chip Hilton Sports and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Sutton was a finalist along with Tony Bennett of Washington State, Bo Ryan of Wisconsin, and John Thompson III of Georgetown. Bennett was the eventual recipient of the award.
Sutton was tabbed by the National Association of Basketball Coaches as the District 12 Co-Coach of the Year in 2005.
Personal life
Scott was born June 3, 1970, in Omaha, Nebraska. He later attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
Growing up as the youngest son of a legendary coach, Scott paid close attention to his father, and has borrowed a few notes from Dad as well. He also had the opportunity to play for his father at Oklahoma State from 1992–94, helping the Cowboys reach the NCAA Tournament both seasons.
Sutton and his wife, Kim, are the parents of three daughters.