Basketball world reacts to legendary Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton’s death

#okstate is deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Eddie Sutton. A Hall of Fame Coach with more than 800 wins, he revived our historic basketball program and will always be revered and loved by the #CowboyFamily. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Sutton family. pic.twitter.com/gHA6NDVZoX

— Burns Hargis (@burnshargis) May 24, 2020

Absolutely heartbroken over the loss of Coach Eddie Sutton. He and his family were amazing to me and it was an honor to be allowed to document his life. The connection forged with he and his family through the filmmaking process will be something I hold dear forever. RIP HOF’r

— Christopher Hunt (@iamchristopherh) May 24, 2020

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Dear Coach, thank you. You told us that life was hard, but if we could make it through your practices, we could achieve anything. You were right. You told us that when we play “Oklahoma” or “the Jayhawks” we outta bring a pup tent cause it was war, not for the weak. You were right. Coach you imparted so much wisdom on us, so many simple demands that made us more disciplined men and better teammates, all while giving us the most honest feedback on earth, thank you... it remains an irreplaceable time of growth in all of our lives. Coach you showed us confidence not arrogance. You demanded respect that you have earned and treated us just as you did your own children. Tough but fair.. honest to a fault. Coach, we never forgot to say “I love you” during our phone calls, all of us as teammates still do the same. You brought me personally closer to my dearest of friends, let us represent your (now our) school and gave me the chance to run your team. I personally remain honored, humbled and amazed at what doors simply playing hard for you and my teammates, opened. I cut your grass (and Randall Dickey’s at your rent house)one summer, when you taught me how to use your mower. I had never cut grass before in my life, so you taught me that too... thank you. One more thing Coach, I’m sorry we couldn’t get you your national championship. We all are. The Arkansas guys, the 92 & 94 teams (stacked),the 95 guys, my squad and the 04 team all feel this way. We wanted it for you, for our program, but mostly for you. We played hard, we went to class, we had so much damn fun and let us find ourselves as players and as men. But we are so glad you got into the Naismith Hall of Fame, what we couldn’t finish as a team, finally Springfield recognized. Steve, Sean and Scott lost their dad, and we all lost our 2nd father. Coach, enjoy eternity with Patsy, please send her regards from all her boys down here. With unwavering love and appreciation, Rest In Peace Coach. Loyal and True

A post shared by Doug Gottlieb (@gottliebshow) on May 23, 2020 at 9:06pm PDT

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NO WORDS......... GONNA MISS YOU COACH! I’VE SHARED WITH THE FAMILY MY PAIN, BUT WHEN I FIND THE WORDS AND THE STORIES I WILL SHARE YOU GENIUS AND LOVE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, BUT RIGHT NOW I WILL REMEMBER THE COACH WHO TOLD ME HE LOVED ME FOR WHO I WAS NOT FOR WHAT I COULD DO!!!! I’M SO HAPPY YOU ARE HUGGING AND KISSING MRS. SUTTON FINALLY! YOU DESERVE TO BE REUNITED WITH YOUR QUEEN COACH! COACH YOU ONCE ASKED ME DO I EVER GET EMOTIONAL AND I SAID NOT REALLY I’M NOT REALLY THE CRYING TYPE AND YOU TOLD ME IT WAS OK TO SHOW EMOTION........ WELL I AM RIGHT NOW , YOU ARE THE BEST AND NO ONE CAN EVER TELL ME DIFFERENT....... YOU WERE HALL OF FAME IN MY BOOK IN 1996! #LOVEyouCOACHSUTTON #THEREALCOWBOY

A post shared by Desmond Mason Art™ (@dmasonart) on May 23, 2020 at 9:19pm PDT

To the man that gave me two of the best years of my life. I will forever be grateful to he and his entire family. #RIPCoachSutton #AlwaysALegend

— Tony Allen (@aa000G9) May 24, 2020

So many stories about Coach are running through my head. Memories of basketball camp, memories of waiting outside the locker room after games to shake his hand, memories of him telling me how pure my free throws looked. #Eddie pic.twitter.com/y66g3XEl1F

— Jared Gallagher (@jaredgallagher) May 24, 2020

Eddie Sutton has passed away. He had a HOF career and touched many lives, including mine. He was always kind to me and my family when I was a young coach and we’ve stayed in touch throughout his life. He’s going to be missed. RIP, my friend. He and his family are in my prayers. pic.twitter.com/JxoFliDvyx

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) May 24, 2020

Eddie Sutton was a fascinating and complicated person. He also was an unbelievable teacher of the game of basketball. I was fortunate and lucky to have learned from him. Grateful.

Hall. Of. Famer.

Thanks, Coach Ed.

Rest. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bfIk7fm1xd

— Rex Chapman (@RexChapman) May 24, 2020

Last month when he was elected to the HOF, we asked Scott Sutton to put in a nutshell what made his dad so successful, for so long: pic.twitter.com/rKbgbpz9K6

— Cayden McFarland (@caydenmc) May 24, 2020

Coach Sutton was one of the all-time greats to roam the sidelines. He is an important part of the history of the Creighton program. RIP Coach. https://t.co/DHVzgU7uUM

— Coach McDermott (@cucoachmac) May 24, 2020

Rest In Peace, Hall of Famer. ⁦@OSUMBB⁩ pic.twitter.com/ZYhdNu2RyU

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) May 24, 2020

"Always have faith in God, yourself and the Cowboys." — Eddie Sutton

The impact on our University reaches far beyond wins and losses. We owe so much of what we have to our Hall of Famer. Rest easy, Coach. #okstate pic.twitter.com/0Pk2E1obLQ

— Ryan Cameron (@ryancameron24) May 24, 2020

Seems like just a few days ago we were celebrating the news that Coach Eddie Sutton had been elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Now this very sad news of his passing. So grateful I had a chance to get to know him & his family. Thinking about Steve, Sean & Scott. RIP Coach

— Joe Castiglione (@soonerad) May 24, 2020

We’ll say a lot of things about Eddie Sutton’s legacy in the coming days, weeks and months. But leading the emotional recovery of an entire state after the 2001 plane crash that killed 10 people affiliated with Oklahoma State basketball is something we don’t discuss enough.

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) May 24, 2020

RIP Eddie Sutton.

I hate that he won’t get to experience his Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame induction. But I’m glad he at least knew he was accepted before he died.

Incredible coach.
He deserved the HOF.

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) May 24, 2020

My heart Goes out to the Family of Eddie Sutton. I last saw son, Sean ⁦@DePaulHoops⁩ last December. He’s currently on Chris Beard’s staff at Texas Tech. Like his Dad, and brothers a wonderful guy that’s overcome quite a bit. I covered him as a player for his Dad. RIP Eddie! pic.twitter.com/5enBFyK3sh

— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) May 24, 2020

So happy that Coach Eddie Sutton knew he was a Hall of Famer before he left. ❤️❤️❤️#eddiesutton @OSUMBB https://t.co/I6zAZxgJFT

— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) May 24, 2020

I’ve never shared this story before, but it shows just how thoughtful Coach Sutton was. #RIPEddie pic.twitter.com/bVTe0oqvfG

— Brodie Myers (@MyersVoice) May 24, 2020

The common theme of Eddie Sutton’s former teammates and fellow OSU employees is this: Sutton treated everyone like family. Didn’t matter who you were. That, to me, sticks out the most whenever I talk to people who were close to him.

Kind soul, great basketball mind. #RIPEddie

— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovo62) May 24, 2020

Kelvin Sampson visited with Eddie Sutton during Houston’s trip to Stillwater in December 2018. “When I first got to Oklahoma it was really a blessing that coach Sutton was at Oklahoma State. He made me a better coach,” Sampson said at time. Sutton passed away Saturday at age 84 pic.twitter.com/VbUbYfv97w

— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) May 24, 2020

RIP, Coach Sutton, and thank you. #okstate #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/qIrhVmVtnq

— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) May 24, 2020

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— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) May 24, 2020

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— Doug Shivers (@casdas29) May 24, 2020

@cwebb_oSu @OSUfreak82 @CowboysRFF just drew this about 2 hours ago, then was laying in bed putting my daughter Sutton to sleep when I saw the news. pic.twitter.com/6uIbgrGim7

— Tony Bennett (@tb3nn3tt) May 24, 2020