Sean Sutton Hired by Texas Tech as Adviser to Head Coach

Sean Sutton is back in the Big 12 Conference as a coach … sort of. Sutton was hired on Wednesday by Texas Tech as an adviser to head coach Chris Beard. Sutton had previously been with Oral Roberts from 2011-17 as an assistant to his brother Scott who was fired earlier this year.

Before that Sutton posted a 39-29 record in two years as the head coach of Oklahoma State from 2006-08. He was let go of after two uninspiring seasons and subsequently arrested as he battled an addiction to prescription drugs.

Robert Allen suggested earlier this year that maybe Sean should be considered for an assistant position in Stillwater (not a great idea!) but instead, Beard and Tech have snatched up the free agent coach.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to join Chris Beard’s staff at Texas Tech,” Sutton said in a release. “Chris has been a loyal friend and someone that I’ve had tremendous respect for through the years in the coaching profession. I have always admired his passion for basketball, his integrity, his relentless work ethic and his devotion to his players.

“Chris is a very gifted coach, an excellent recruiter and one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around. I’m excited about the opportunity to work under his leadership, be a part of his outstanding coaching staff and rejoining the Big 12 conference which is the one of the premier leagues in the country. I appreciate the warm reception that I have received from everyone associated in the Texas Tech basketball family.”

I have no idea what adviser to the head coach means, but I presume it’s a lot of film work — sort of like the Bill Clay of Texas Tech hoops. Sean had said recently that he wanted to be a head coach or an assistant at a high level again sometime.

“I think I’m ready to take that step,” Sutton told the Tulsa World. “I love working for Scott and I love ORU, but I still have goals of being a head coach and taking a team to the Final Four or a national championship. And if it’s not as a head coach, then as an assistant (with a major program).”

Tech had this interesting note in its release. I guess I should have known this, but I still thought it was pretty cool:

The Sutton family has combined for 1,171 victories between Hall of Fame father, Eddie, along with brother, Scott and Sean. The trio is the most successful father-son basketball combination in NCAA history.