<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) -- Eddie Sutton retired Friday as Oklahoma State's basketball coach effective June 30 after a drunken driving accident ended a 36-year career that included 798 wins and three trips to the Final Four. "This decision is about simply what's best for me and what's best for the basketball program at Oklahoma State," Sutton said. The accident, which occurred as Sutton drove from Gallagher-Iba Arena to the Stillwater airport to leave for a road game, resulted in charges of aggravated DUI, speeding and driving on the wrong side of the road. Sutton pleaded no contest to the charges earlier this month and received a one-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay a fine. Sean Sutton, who served as an assistant on his father's coaching staff and has taken the job on an interim basis, will succeed his father as coach. "It's my unwavering belief that Sean will continue the winning tradition in this basketball program ... ," Sutton said. He said if he were to return to try to get his 800th win, it wouldn't be fair to his son. "It is now time for us to come together as a family again and support a new era in Cowboy basketball," he said. "If given your support, I believe Sean can take this program to even greater heights. He has the tools, knowledge and experience. I believe Sean can take this program all the way to the top." Sutton said he has enjoyed the raucous Oklahoma State crowd. "I will miss the rowdiest arena in college basketball," he said.</div> http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/bask...t.ap/index.html
