NEW YORK — Pitt head coach Jeff Capel said he has not received any assurance that he will return for a fifth season in charge of the Panthers’ men’s basketball team from athletic director Heather Lyke, but believes that he will.
Pitt finished Capel’s fourth season at 11-21 after Tuesday’s loss to Boston College, which is the worst record of Jeff Capel’s four-year tenure. When asked after the game, Capel said that he had not had a conversation with Lyke about his future with the program.
“I haven’t gotten any assurance,” Capel said after the game. “I haven’t gotten anything about being back, not being back, I haven’t had any sort of discussions with her.”
When asked whether or not he feels confident that he will be back, Capel offered a quick answer: “I do.”
Since accepting the job four years ago, Capel has won two games in the ACC Tournament. He has had two straight first-round exits, losing to Miami last year before Tuesday’s loss to Boston College, which capped the program’s worst season since going 0-19 in ACC play in Kevin Stallings’ final season in 2017-18. Despite the downturn in record, Capel believes that the program is in a better place now than when he inherited it.
“Hell yeah, from when I found it,” Capel said. “It was completely depleted when I got here. It was a mess. I didn’t know how bad it was. I don’t think the people inside the program knew how bad it was. I think where we are today, from the first day I took over, is significantly better. Now, is it improved the way I thought it would be after four years? No. Absolutely not. There is no one more frustrated than me with that, and I take responsibility for it, but it is certainly in a better place right now than it was when I first got here.”
“Significantly better”. Delusional arrogance. This man has been stealing a paycheck for 4 years
Fire Capel now! Today was not watchable, a total embarrassment. Glad it wasn’t in prime time.
Where else can you go to work and be a total disaster and get a contract extension?
“I think where we are today, from the first day I took over, is significantly better.”
Seriously Jeff? How can you say that without busting out in laughter?
This guy is a joke.
Go head you can’t anybody that wanna coach here.If I was him I’d say give by buyout at 15 million. He can an sit a year.
Sorry Richard. I apologize. English is the only language I understand.
Supposed Pitt fans all react the same. Time to jump off of the wagon. Although yesterday’s game was painful to watch,I know that better times are coming. It is just taking a little longer. No one is crying about the football team. It took them a little longer too. Coach Capel is a coach that players want to play for. He will get the job done.
Stop.