STILLWATER, Okla. – Former Oklahoma State basketball coach Eddie Sutton was taken to a Stillwater hospital Friday morning after being found unresponsive in his car outside a convenience store, police said.

"We do know that he is there and alive and alert," said Sheila Dohmann, an assistant in Oklahoma State University's communications office.

Sutton had been "largely unresponsive" but able to communicate verbally with police officers and paramedics after they responded to the convenience store around 9:34 a.m. Friday, Stillwater Police Capt. Randy Dickerson said.

In a statement, Stillwater Medical Center confirmed that Sutton was brought to the emergency room via ambulance and "is alert and responsive."

"The ER physician stated that Mr. Sutton is not under the influence of alcohol; however a possible reaction to new medication prescribed by his physician may be the cause of this incident," the hospital said in the statement. "The physician expects the patient to be evaluated and released sometime today."

Sutton, 70, retired in May after compiling 798 wins in 36 years as a college coach at Creigthon, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oklahoma State, his alma mater. His retirement came about three months after a drunken driving accident caused him to miss the Cowboys' final 10 games last season.

After his retirement, Sutton had begun working with a new alcohol education and support program at Oklahoma State. His first appearance was a speech to about 1,500 students at a fraternity house in September.

Sutton, who ranks fifth in career wins among Division I men's coaches, reached the Final Four with Arkansas in 1978 and with Oklahoma State in 1995 and 2004. His son, Sean, replaced him as Oklahoma State's coach.