PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Just two years ago Jeff Capel wasn’t sure if he would be retained as Pitt’s head coach, news on Wednesday afternoon that Capel gets a contract extension through the end of the decade.
Capel has led Pitt basketball to 46 wins over the past two seasons including a couple of NCAA Tournament victories
"When Coach Capel initially arrived at Pitt in 2018, he was tasked with one of the most difficult rebuilding jobs in all of college basketball," said Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke in a statement released by the team. "Jeff fully embraced that challenge from the outset and never wavered from his lofty vision for our players and program. Brick-by-brick, he built a rock-solid foundation that has Pitt basketball poised for a championship future. Jeff is an outstanding leader well beyond the court and we are highly fortunate to have him representing the University of Pittsburgh. I'm incredibly pleased to announce this extension of his contract and look forward to the continued ascendance of Pitt basketball under his direction."
The Panthers lost a pair of players to the NBA from last year’s team, Bub Carrington a first-round pick & traded to the Washington Wizards and Blake Hinson, the career leader in three-pointers made, signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers. The team returns ACC Sixth Man of the Year Ishmael Leggett and sophomore guard Jaland Lowe, who averaged 12 points and 3.8 assists in ACC play. The team adds a pair of highly regarded transfers and a Top 25 recruiting class for the 2024-25 season.
"The University of Pittsburgh continues to have outstanding leadership under Chancellor Joan Gabel and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke," said Capel. "I am appreciative of the support they have provided me and my staff as we continue to build a Pitt Men's Basketball program that competes for championships on a conference and national level annually. Pittsburgh is a terrific sports town full of amazing people and we are grateful for the continued support of so many passionate fans. We will continue to give one hundred percent of ourselves as we represent Pitt on the court, in the classroom and in the community."