Oklahoma State: Sutton Pleads No Contest

Sutton Pleads No Contest: Concluding a well-publicized drunken driving charge, former Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton pleaded no contest May 5. As part of a deal with prosecutors, Sutton will likely receive a one-year deferred sentence and must pay fines and court costs of about $1,500. Sutton also completed a program for alcoholics. Sutton said he has alcoholism, which he had treated in the late 1980s while he was Kentucky’s coach. He said he relapsed to escape the pain produced from injuries suffered in the past two years. He broke a pair of back bones in an airport and then broke his tailbone while diving to avoid a car. Sutton’s son, Sean Sutton, is the Cowboys’ interim coach, but the elder Sutton indicated he could return to lead Oklahoma State. He has 798 career wins and would easily pass 800 if he stuck around for one more season. [5/17/06]