One Month From Now

[HailToPitt1985]

I'm not saying that Capel should stay or go. I’m saying based on Heather’s comments and other factors, I’d be mildly surprised if he’s not given another year. If he’s back next year, the pressure will be on him big time.

I agree that the Howland approach to get the program back in it’s feet is the best way.

If he comes back next year, the ONLY outcome that will keep him here for even an additional year is a minimum of 18 wins and an NIT bid. That's it. Anything short of that and we need to cut him loose for lack of results and no recruiting at all.

Maybe Howland would come back to Pitt. Or maybe Capel will leave on his own because he was offered another coaching job. We can hope.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Kyle Cieplicki Hired As Pitt Men’s Basketball Chief of Staff

The Pitt basketball program announced on Monday that Kyle Cieplicki has been hired as the programs new basketball chief of staff. Cieplicki has spent the last 10 years as a member of the Vermont basketball program. In 2011, he started as director of operations and the following year, Cieplicki...

pittsburghsportsnow.com

What the heck is a basketball Chief of Staff? They don't need that. They need someone who can coach and recruit. But this is Capel and he's not real smart.

 

[Slick Manager of Champs]

I’m not saying that Capel should stay or go. I’m saying based on Heather’s comments and other factors, I’d be mildly surprised if he’s not given another year. If he’s back next year, the pressure will be on him big time.

I agree that the Howland approach to get the program back in it’s feet is the best way.

Capel couldn't win when he had some decent players here with Toney, Champaigne, etc. He's not winning and losing in spectacular fashion this year with zero recruits coming in to improve the roster. How are we supposed to expect that the light bulb will go on next year and winning will suddenly happen? He's going to get several players from the portal in the next few months that transform this team to compete in the ACC? Not happening, it is what it is with Capel. Why delay the inevitable unless there is a serious drop-off in the payout amount.

 

[pittmeister]

I listened to Chris’ podcast this morning and he was spot on with everything he said. The things that stood out to me were:

1. Pitt won a lot of games 15 yrs ago with defense, rebounding and physical play ( Howland years).

2. If you put a gun to his head and asked him who the coach will be next year, he said it will be Capel. For the same reason I believe. The money probably isn’t there to buy him out.

I’ll let you in on a little secret… The guys that write the checks, aren’t that crazy about basketball…. The big donors are driven by football…They did it once with Stallings, I don’t believe they will do it again on this big of a contract. Check with them in a couple of years when the contract isn’t as costly and they might fork it over.

 

[pittmeister]

Capel couldn't win when he had some decent players here with Toney, Champaigne, etc. He's not winning and losing in spectacular fashion this year with zero recruits coming in to improve the roster. How are we supposed to expect that the light bulb will go on next year and winning will suddenly happen? He's going to get several players from the portal in the next few months that transform this team to compete in the ACC? Not happening, it is what it is with Capel. Why delay the inevitable unless there is a serious drop-off in the payout amount.

Money….See above post…

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Money….See above post…

And this is why I'm getting less and less interested in Pitt sports, both football and basketball. They're in the cesspool and they're not playing the sport for the right reasons. They'll get what they deserve...less and less fan support.

 

[TheSpecialSauce]

And this is why I'm getting less and less interested in Pitt sports, both football and basketball. They're in the cesspool and they're not playing the sport for the right reasons. They'll get what they deserve...less and less fan support.

Did you enjoy watching the 1976 Pitt football championship team?

 

[pittchagg]

What the heck is a basketball Chief of Staff? They don't need that. They need someone who can coach and recruit. But this is Capel and he's not real smart.

Off-court staffers are important, even if you have an excellent coach and assistants.

 

[gary2]

Off-court staffers are important, even if you have an excellent coach and assistants.

Agree - I liked both new hires this season

The other:

Presutti Named Assistant AD of Scouting for Pitt Basketball - Pitt Panthers #H2P

PITTSBURGH – University of Pittsburgh men's basketball head coach Jeff Capel announced the addition of Jake Presutti as Assistant AD of Scouting Wednesday morning.

pittsburghpanthers.com

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

These two should have on court positions and demote two of the three stooges to these off court positions.

unfortunately I think capel will be back until the mass exodus

 

[docpanther26]

Mass exodus with no help coming. No reason to believe he will be successful with the portal, aside from maybe Mo. Kids talk, at this point, getting blown out, no recruits, decommittments, arrests...why would anybody want to come here?

 

[gary2]

Mass exodus with no help coming. No reason to believe he will be successful with the portal, aside from maybe Mo. Kids talk, at this point, getting blown out, no recruits, decommittments, arrests...why would anybody want to come here?

I give him credit for Burton, think Mo was mostly accidental good fortune.

Still not near what was needed. Very disappointing result during a time of big need.

 

[docpanther26]

I give him credit for Burton, think Mo was mostly accidental good fortune.

Still not near what was needed. Very disappointing result during a time of big need.

Yes, I can see Burton too.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I'm not saying your wrong about Capel returning, but I just can't see how he is going to lure anyone out of the portal to come to Pittsburgh with the shape of this program.

Wake

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Wake

This is not even close to an apt comparison to where Pitt is

 

[JD1976]

Can the agent be the one providing those answers? I am not sure about that.

This is why search firms are hired. I know fans act like they are some big bad wolf, but they are necessary.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This is not even close to an apt comparison to where Pitt is

Wake was really bad. Pitt is really bad. The only difference was Forbes was in Year 1 and Capel is in Year 4.

Capel is going to be here next year and that will be another L for you.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

Wake was really bad. Pitt is really bad. The only difference was Forbes was in Year 1 and Capel is in Year 4.

Capel is going to be here next year and that will be another L for you.

You read your third sentence, right?

I agree, Capel will most likely be here. That will be an L for all of us. Not one difference maker on the team, Femi will be gone and nothing to sell in the portal. Just running out the clock.

 

[sonofabit]

I enjoy reading and now understanding that Mo got off the bus at the wrong stop and stumbled into Pitt’s program by accident. At any rate, he’s going to get looks after this season with his measureables. May be easier to find a replacement with similar skills if indeed he plays professionally. We’ll see.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

I enjoy reading and now understanding that Mo got off the bus at the wrong stop and stumbled into Pitt’s program by accident. At any rate, he’s going to get looks after this season with his measureables. May be easier to find a replacement with similar skills if indeed he plays professionally. We’ll see.

Yes, it was very easy to replace Champagnie by getting him to the G League.

 

[JD1976]

What the heck is a basketball Chief of Staff? They don't need that. They need someone who can coach and recruit. But this is Capel and he's not real smart.

I don’t know Kyle from Adam, but 2 things:

1. You can only have so many active recruiters at one time so they couldn’t have hired an extra recruiter even if they wanted to.

2. The “Chief of Staff” title is becoming the norm in football and basketball. I have a friend who serves as one for a D1 football program and hearing him describe his job description it is an 80 hour a week job in the off-season. These types of hires free up the coaches from the endless minutiae of operating in a college athletic department.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

You read your third sentence, right?

I agree, Capel will most likely be here. That will be an L for all of us. Not one difference maker on the team, Femi will be gone and nothing to sell in the portal. Just running out the clock.

The real question is...who will be here? I don't see many starters we currently have as being on the team next year, either through losing eligibility or transferring. Who will be left and who will we get through the portal, if we get anyone?

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

The real question is...who will be here? I don't see many starters we currently have as being on the team next year, either through losing eligibility or transferring. Who will be left and who will we get through the portal, if we get anyone?

Burton, Horton and Hugley. Although Horton and Hugley could use the 1 time transfer exception since Horton wasn’t ruled immediately eligible. None of those 3 make a difference in Pitt’s record.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Wake was really bad. Pitt is really bad. The only difference was Forbes was in Year 1 and Capel is in Year 4.

Capel is going to be here next year and that will be another L for you.

And that’s all the difference that is needed. Forbes was new and had something (whatever it was) to sell. Capel, well, does not.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Burton, Horton and Hugley. Although Horton and Hugley could use the 1 time transfer exception since Horton wasn’t ruled immediately eligible. None of those 3 make a difference in Pitt’s record.

I don't see Hugley being here next year. I could be wrong. It's just speculation.

 

[BballinsiderfromPitt]

And that’s all the difference that is needed. Forbes was new and had something (whatever it was) to sell. Capel, we’ll, does not.

And Forbes is adept at creating new teams and putting them into winners every year from his juco days. Perfect fit for a HC in today’s game

 

[docpanther26]

And that’s all the difference that is needed. Forbes was new and had something (whatever it was) to sell. Capel, we’ll, does not.

Correct, like any available player is going to buy the brick by brick now? Capel has nothing to sell here, unfortunately.

 

[Pittbull68]

Not so fast. He is here for next year and those close losses will turn into wins. Self destruction of the program again is not our AD's plan. We are returning to our traditionn of being a football school and that will provide cover for Capel and the basket program until it regains its winning ways

 

[Pittbull68]

Repeat after me Heather is not changing Jeff Capel t3his year

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

You read your third sentence, right?

I agree, Capel will most likely be here. That will be an L for all of us. Not one difference maker on the team, Femi will be gone and nothing to sell in the portal. Just running out the clock.

I would agree that there is an aspect of just "running out the clock"

 

[DC_Area_Panther]

Agree. But unless he wins next year it should happen. He better win the lottery in the transfer portal!

 

[Parkview57]

Repeat after me Heather is not changing Jeff Capel t3his year

I have never doubted this, with that said, the reasons for keeping him cast a bad light on Heather's professional abilities and judgement.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Agree. But unless he wins next year it should happen. He better win the lottery in the transfer portal!

And besides winning the lottery in the transfer portal, he better be able to keep his entire roster from this year that can stay and he better get a very high end recruit that can contribute immediately....like a 5* impact guy rated in the top 25. Short of that and if he doesn't win a minimum of 18 games next year with an NIT bid, he's gone.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

I have never doubted this, with that said, the reasons for keeping him cast a bad light on Heather's professional abilities and judgement.

The ONLY reason we are keeping him is because of the extension Heather gave him. That's it. Everyone loves Heather but her only hire in a revenue sport has been an expensive failure. I know people love volleyball arenas but football and men's basketball wins are the only things that matter.

 

[Parkview57]

If he comes back next year, the ONLY outcome that will keep him here for even an additional year is a minimum of 18 wins and an NIT bid.

This is where the program is headed. Good years will be a shot at the NIT title, and NCAAT will be cause for big time excitement around the city. Anyone been around long enough to remember that? Of course up to early '70's there were only 16 teams and then expanded to 32 in like '75 so it was a bit more prestigious just to get in.

 

[HailToPitt1985]

This is where the program is headed. Good years will be a shot at the NIT title, and NCAAT will be cause for big time excitement around the city. Anyone been around long enough to remember that? Of course up to early '70's there were only 16 teams and then expanded to 32 in like '75 so it was a bit more prestigious just to get in.

Yes, I do remember when making the NCAAT was cause for a lot of excitement. It meant you were one of the 16 best teams. Then it was diluted to what it is today. If you don't make the NCAAT now, you're not good at all.

 

[Sean Miller Fan]

This is where the program is headed. Good years will be a shot at the NIT title, and NCAAT will be cause for big time excitement around the city. Anyone been around long enough to remember that? Of course up to early '70's there were only 16 teams and then expanded to 32 in like '75 so it was a bit more prestigious just to get in.

Yes. Dixon II is this program's ceiling. We will never have Howland/Dixon I success again.

 

[docpanther26]

Yes. Dixon II is this program's ceiling. We will never have Howland/Dixon I success again.

We don't know that for sure, but we also shouldn't be unhappy with that kind of success.

 

[Parkview57]

We will never have Howland/Dixon I success again

I tend to disagree, never is a long time......

 

[HailToPitt1985]

Yes. Dixon II is this program's ceiling. We will never have Howland/Dixon I success again.

I disagree. With a good coach and some decent recruiting, we are as capable or more capable of attaining the level of our Howland/Dixon teams as any team in the country, given certain circumstances. We haven't had that level of coaching or players since Dixon. You can't say "never". It can and will happen again.