Trena Sutton
photo / Phil Shockley
Following in the footsteps of a coaching legend is never easy. Yet for Sean Sutton, taking over as head coach after his father, Eddie, is a blessing and an honor. As the Sutton family moves into a new era, Trena Sutton is prepared to take on the challenge as wife of a head coach. Trena transferred to OSU from a junior college in Paris, Texas, where she played basketball. Although she didn’t play the sport at OSU, she worked with the women’s Following his famous father might be a challenge for OSU men’s team for two years. basketball coach Sean Sutton, but Sean’s wife, Trena, says ultimately “I have been here since,” Trena says. “It’s home. Sean, of it’s still just basketball and coaching with a desire to succeed. course, played basketball, and Trena says. “She’s taught me says. “He’s not so much fun to our paths crossed every day. so much and she truly doesn’t be around after a loss, so we The rest is history.” hear anything that goes on in kind of give him his space.” She says her family is ready the arena around her. I’m not Winning is almost more for Sean’s role as head coach. quite there yet, but I’m trying important to Sean because “I think this first year there to get there. There should be of their sons, ages 14, 9, and will definitely be more pressome kind of class for coaches’ 4, she says, and when there sure because of the expecwives to teach them all they is a loss, the boys are just as tations everybody has for competitive and focused on getting a good recruiting class need to know.” Even though the game the game as their dad. and having a good season. of basketball is loved by the When Trena is not at one He wants to do great this Sutton family, it does affect of the OSU basketball games, first year. the family, especially after a she is usually working with “Aside from that, there loss because of Sean’s competi- her sons on their sporting are more things expected of tive nature and drive to win. activities. us; but it really is the same “We tell him we’re sorry “I am usually shagging because Sean wanted to win about the loss, and then we basketballs or catching just as much as an assistant pretty much leave him alone pitches. Most of the time, we coach as he does as a head are outside doing some kind coach. That has not changed.” to study the game tape and try to figure out how he could of sports. Knowing Sean’s Trena says Sean considers have won the game,” Trena not going to be there a lot of it an honor to coach at Eddie the time, I have to be mom Sutton Court. and dad.” “His dad is a legend, and it’s “I think this first Trena says she believes an honor for people to admire year there will Sean is bound for nothing and respect his dad the way definitely be more but success. they do. Sean’s been waiting pressure because “He has dreamed of this his for this. Head coaching is whole life. And I believe he of the expectations what he has always wanted will have a national champito do.” everybody has onship,” she says. “It will be During games, she admits for getting a good rewarding because he’s worked she can get as excited as every- recruiting class and so hard for it — our whole body else, although she tries having a good season. family has. A national champito hold her tongue. He wants to do great onship would be really special.” “I have learned a lot from this first year.” my mother-in-law, Patsy,”
It’s been said that behind every great man is a great woman. This is especially true of Shelley Budke, Julie Sanchez, Toni Smith and Trena Sutton. Each is married to an OSU head coach and has learned how to deal with the ups and downs of the season while living in the public spotlight. For them, life off the court, mat or ring revolves around their husband, their children, and just as often, the team.
S tories by kathryn bo l ay
To read more, visit: www.magazine.okstate.edu 30
winter 2006