Breakdown of Money for Buyout

[TheSpecialSauce]

We are paying Capel and his staff over 5 million dollars. Capel alone made 3.53 million last year after incentives. His base salary is around 2.5 million. Most coaching contracts state you pay 75% of the base salary if terminated without cause. That would mean the buyout would be around 7.5 million.

We aren’t going to save that much money by holding onto him for another year and watch the program get buried even deeper into a hole.

 

[Atch]

We are paying Capel and his staff over 5 million dollars. Capel alone made 3.53 million last year after incentives. His base salary is around 2.5 million. Most coaching contracts state you pay 75% of the base salary if terminated without cause. That would mean the buyout would be around 7.5 million.

We aren’t going to save that much money by holding onto him for another year and watch the program get buried even deeper into a hole.

What did he do last year year to earn $1 mil in incentives?

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

What did he do last year year to earn $1 mil in incentives?

Things tied into academics such as GPA, media appearances, etc…Very basic and easy to meet.

 

[pittjas]

I truly believe absent a miracle stretch run or winning the ACCT or something like that, that he will be gone.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

Your assuming his salary doesn’t escalate through the yrs .

With so little fan interest in the program I’m just not sure Pitt cares to invest 7.5 mil ( your # ) to rid themselves of JC .

 

[WillFerrell]

Its over. It’s the worst kept secret in the Athletic Dept. they are usually tight lipped, but no one seems to care anymore.

well, on the bright side(I think), this board is about to go bonkers starting around March 9.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Its over. It’s the worst kept secret in the Athletic Dept. they are usually tight lipped, but no one seems to care anymore.

well, on the bright side(I think), this board is about to go bonkers starting around March 9.

Really?

 

[WillFerrell]

Really?

It’s more than just wins and losses.

Capel is ALWAYS asking for more $$$ for stuff. High maintenance.

Heather believes in spreading the wealth. It’s just not working out.

 

[gary2]

Your assuming his salary doesn’t escalate through the yrs .

With so little fan interest in the program I’m just not sure Pitt cares to invest 7.5 mil ( your # ) to rid themselves of JC .

He costs them that much in reduced ticket sales and reduced donations.

I know I decreased my donation.

 

[gary2]

It’s more than just wins and losses.

Capel is ALWAYS asking for more $$$ for stuff. High maintenance.

Heather believes in spreading the wealth. It’s just not working out.

I could see that.

 

[WillFerrell]

I could see that.

We need fannies in the seats. Got to make the move.

 

[TD_6082]

We need fannies in the seats. Got to make the move.

I think the philosophy in the AD is one of support and stability, therefore if Pitt could give fans a glimmer of hope, I thought Capel could possibily get another year.

However, for me, the turnout for the UVA game was a real eye opener. I think they have probably moved past that point now.

It looked horrible on TV. Listening to the UVA broadcast doing halftime errands, they couldn't believe the poor turnout. They estimated The Pete crowd was "15% of capacity"

Realistically, only so much this team can do on the court.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

They estimated The Pete crowd was "15% of capacity"

15% of capacity would be a little less than 2,000 people. So their estimate might have been a little high.

 

[DT_PITT]

15% of capacity would be a little less than 2,000 people. So their estimate might have been a little high.

When there are a decent number of Zoo members as there were last game, saying the crowd was 2,000 is not unreasonable, but like you said, probably a little high. My guess of the last crowd was 1,800.

 

[Fsgolfdr]

I think the philosophy in the AD is one of support and stability, therefore if Pitt could give fans a glimmer of hope, I thought Capel could possibily get another year.

However, for me, the turnout for the UVA game was a real eye opener. I think they have probably moved past that point now.

It looked horrible on TV. Listening to the UVA broadcast doing halftime errands, they couldn't believe the poor turnout. They estimated The Pete crowd was "15% of capacity"

Realistically, only so much this team can do on the court.

What’s it going to take to rejuvenate attendance ?

My best guess is a team that makes a serious run in the NCAAs. A Sweet 16 team that returns its stars and Pitt is nowhere near that .

Or hiring a superstar coach who brings in a couple of highly rated players with him .

I give nearly a zero chance for the superstar coach and a sweet 16 run is yrs away under any circumstances . Pitt needs to rebuild its fan base and that’s going to take sometime and some winning .

UVA is down it was a 9 o’clock start on a cold winter day and 6 bad yrs of bb plus it was on TV .

 

[Parkview57]

Its over. It’s the worst kept secret in the Athletic Dept. they are usually tight lipped, but no one seems to care anymore.

Do you rendezvous with people in the Athletic Dept.?

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

When there are a decent number of Zoo members as there were last game, saying the crowd was 2,000 is not unreasonable, but like you said, probably a little high. My guess of the last crowd was 1,800.

Hence, "might have been".

It was actually a little better than I was expecting given the 9:00 tip time.

 

[DT_PITT]

Hence, "might have been".

It was actually a little better than I was expecting given the 9:00 tip time.

Anyway about it … the Pete feels like a ghost town. Crowds for exhibition games in 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 were 2 to 3 times greater than what we are getting for ACC games now.

 

[PittPharm2002]

He costs them that much in reduced ticket sales and reduced donations.

I know I decreased my donation.

This is where COVID actually mediates the issue
Because crowds wouldn’t be big regardless
My donations have increased to athletics the past 4 years -
So I’m guessing that’s at least neutral

 

[Parkview57]

The truth is that this is all on Heather. I don't like to be very negative but the truth hurts. She gave capel adulation he did not earn or deserve and added to the contract for who knows why. Now she is stuck with her horrible decision and has to watch these abhorrent attendance figures.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

the Pete feels like a ghost town.

Yes, it does.

 

[WillFerrell]

The truth is that this is all on Heather. I don't like to be very negative but the truth hurts. She gave capel adulation he did not earn or deserve and added to the contract for who knows why. Now she is stuck with her horrible decision and has to watch these abhorrent attendance figures.

She made at the time, which seemed like a strong hire. 99% of fan base approved of Capel.
And for a while he had it going on…
and then…

She’ll make it right.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I truly believe absent a miracle stretch run or winning the ACCT or something like that, that he will be gone.

And I would be all for that if we guaranteed ourselves a better coach and there isn't ONE mid-major coach out there who is guaranteed to be better. Capel was once that MM coach. I don't care how bad you think Capel is, a random MM coach can be as bad or worse. Get a guarantee.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Theres only on guarantee (outside of Pitino), he’s gonna be on the lookout and will cost 5 mill. But he’s sick of being second fiddle to the best college football coach in the country.

 

[pittjas]

And I would be all for that if we guaranteed ourselves a better coach and there isn't ONE mid-major coach out there who is guaranteed to be better. Capel was once that MM coach. I don't care how bad you think Capel is, a random MM coach can be as bad or worse. Get a guarantee.

Lol. Capel is 17-44 in conference. How much worse can it realistically get?

Also, can you please shut up about this “guarantee” nonsense…

There are no guarantees. The only guarantee would be Rick Pitino and that is NOT happening. And even if we really wanted him, there will be plenty of other P5 options giving him a call too. It’s NOT HAPPENING.

After that… there’s plenty of good coaches out there.

The only shot a school like Pitt has at getting a really good coach is picking out an assistant/mid major coach.

Nico Medved would run laps around Capel. If his history was any indicator, he’d likely have us ranked in Year 2.

 

[pittjas]

Theres only on guarantee (outside of Pitino), he’s gonna be on the lookout and will cost 5 mill. But he’s sick of being second fiddle to the best college football coach in the country.

Oats? I’d guess MD if it’s him.

Although I do think we could potentially make a $5 mil offer. With PN locked up for the long-term, this is going to be the last big time hire HL gets to make here. She won’t want to mess it up

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

Theres only on guarantee (outside of Pitino), he’s gonna be on the lookout and will cost 5 mill. But he’s sick of being second fiddle to the best college football coach in the country.

If Lyke can pull that off, then she would cement her legacy at Pitt.

I’d be ecstatic with Medved, but Oats would be an absolute coup.

 

[pittjas]

If Lyke can pull that off, then she would cement her legacy at Pitt.

I’d be ecstatic with Medved, but Oats would be an absolute coup.

Agreed but he’ll have better options where he can win… although the crazy thing about the portal is if you make a hire like that you could legitimately make the tourney next year.

But not getting my hopes up for that… give me one of Medved/DeVries/Odom/Valentine and I’ll be happy.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Lol. Capel is 17-44 in conference. How much worse can it realistically get?

Also, can you please shut up about this “guarantee” nonsense…

There are no guarantees. The only guarantee would be Rick Pitino and that is NOT happening. And even if we really wanted him, there will be plenty of other P5 options giving him a call too. It’s NOT HAPPENING.

After that… there’s plenty of good coaches out there.

The only shot a school like Pitt has at getting a really good coach is picking out an assistant/mid major coach.

Nico Medved would run laps around Capel. If his history was any indicator, he’d likely have us ranked in Year 2.

Medved is going to win a high major league at a non-traditional program so he's pretty close to a guarantee.

Other guarantees
Pitino
Miller (sorry but I think we are a perennial NCAAT team with him)
Buzz Williams (will take any job)
Mark Turgeon

4 guys we can get relatively cheap. And if BballinsiderfromPitt is talking about Nate Oats, my God, Heather should have a statue built for her if she could do that. Funny thing is she could have had him for $3.5-$4 million but settled for Capel instead.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Agreed but he’ll have better options where he can win… although the crazy thing about the portal is if you make a hire like that you could legitimately make the tourney next year.

But not getting my hopes up for that… give me one of Medved/DeVries/Odom/Valentine and I’ll be happy.

Odom is in last place and me or you could have won big at Loyola this year. Valentine took over a MM machine

 

[pittjas]

Medved is going to win a high major league at a non-traditional program so he's pretty close to a guarantee.

Other guarantees
Pitino
Miller (sorry but I think we are a perennial NCAAT team with him)
Buzz Williams (will take any job)
Mark Turgeon

4 guys we can get relatively cheap. And if BballinsiderfromPitt is talking about Nate Oats, my God, Heather should have a statue built for her if she could do that. Funny thing is she could have had him for $3.5-$4 million but settled for Capel instead.

I want nothing to do with a guy like Turgeon.

We need a guy with the energy/hunger to do whatever it takes to win here. Not someone who’s already accomplished. Just totally not enthused at all by a guy like that

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I want nothing to do with a guy like Turgeon.

We need a guy with the energy/hunger to do whatever it takes to win here. Not someone who’s already accomplished. Just totally not enthused at all by a guy like that

You're high right? Turgeon made the NCAAT 10 out of 14 years. 3 of the 4 tournaments he didn't make were his first 3 years at Maryland as he was rebuilding and in a new league. He however went 17-15 in Years 1 and 3 and made the NIT Semis in Year 2.

He is an excellent coach who would have ANY program in the NCAAT more often than not. And you'd rather just try to get lucky with whoever wins the MAC, MAAC, CAA, or SoCon this year? A guy that has NEVER coached at the major D1 level? Someone you have a good feeling about?

 

[TD_6082]

Theres only on guarantee (outside of Pitino), he’s gonna be on the lookout and will cost 5 mill. But he’s sick of being second fiddle to the best college football coach in the country.

Oats? He's also way behind the hoops coach of his in-state rival.

Bama is flat out unwatchable if they aren't hitting 3s. I like Oats, but they aren't very good this year.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Oats? He's also way behind the hoops coach of his in-state rival.

Bama is flat out unwatchable if they aren't hitting 3s. I like Oats, but they aren't very good this year.

He’d be an A+ hire for us. Will unfortunately probably be at Maryland next year like someone else mentioned. He’d be the splash hire/sure thing to be relevant here.

 

[pittjas]

You're high right? Turgeon made the NCAAT 10 out of 14 years. 3 of the 4 tournaments he didn't make were his first 3 years at Maryland as he was rebuilding and in a new league. He however went 17-15 in Years 1 and 3 and made the NIT Semis in Year 2.

He is an excellent coach who would have ANY program in the NCAAT more often than not. And you'd rather just try to get lucky with whoever wins the MAC, MAAC, CAA, or SoCon this year? A guy that has NEVER coached at the major D1 level? Someone you have a good feeling about?

Just doesn’t seem like the guy we need. Seems like it’d be a very Stallings-like hire…

Stallings was also a pretty good coach who did a good job at a tough place to win at and was in the tourney the year before he was here.

Maryland is also a pretty good job and you have to try to mess up there. I’d say he coached to the level of the job but didn’t really elevate things. Any prospect you could ever want is within an hour of your campus

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

He’d be an A+ hire for us. Will unfortunately probably be at Maryland next year like someone else mentioned. He’d be the splash hire/sure thing to be relevant here.

Are you hearing any other big name guys looking to move like when Buzz Williams went to VT?

 

[TD_6082]

He’d be an A+ hire for us. Will unfortunately probably be at Maryland next year like someone else mentioned. He’d be the splash hire/sure thing to be relevant here.

Agreed. He wouldbe.. Right now, he's had one really good year out of 3 at Bama. This year is still playing out, but this is a very flawed Bama team.

Don't know why being second fiddle to St. Nick would bother him. It's not like he didn't know the deal when he took the job.

 

[pittjas]

Agreed. He wouldbe.. Right now, he's had one really good year out of 3 at Bama. This year is still playing out, but this is a very flawed Bama team.

Don't know why being second fiddle to St. Nick would bother him. It's not like he didn't know the deal when he took the job.

I agree with your last paragraph but confused on your 1st.

He won the SEC reg season title in Year 2 and they are currently #16 on KenPom. With wins over Gonzaga and Houston.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

He’d be an A+ hire for us. Will unfortunately probably be at Maryland next year like someone else mentioned. He’d be the splash hire/sure thing to be relevant here.

I said Oats would have Bama in the Sweet 16 within 3 years and hit on that. People thought that was insane. He will have Maryland in the Elite 8 in 4 years. The guy is a Top 10 coach, all things being equal

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

Are you hearing any other big name guys looking to move like when Buzz Williams went to VT?

Fred Hoiberg