If the numbers reported are true, Capel will make $8 million more here. $3 million for coaching next season then $5 million for his buyout next March. So I guess, that's the starting point in any buyout negotiation. If the $15 million is true, Capel knows he is guaranteed next year and the $8 million. So maybe they can settle at $10-$12 million or so? Capel gets what he would have gotten if he was fired next March plus a little extra for 23-24 because he would contend he would make the NCAAT next year and get that 23-24 salary. Either way you look at it, Pitt isn't paying 8 figures to buy him out.
Thinking more about the buyout
- Thread starter Sean Miller Fan
- Start date
15 million for a buy out compounds heathers initial
Screw up .,blow 15 on a buyout then listen for the next 10 years about how our facilities suck . We can’t afford another buyout. Heathers extension to Capel is a firable offense
Screw up .,blow 15 on a buyout then listen for the next 10 years about how our facilities suck . We can’t afford another buyout. Heathers extension to Capel is a firable offense
Huh? I don't get why they would settle for 10-12 million if the "guarantee" is 8 million. Wouldn't "settling" be more like agreeing to 6 or 7 million? From Capel's perspective, he wouldn't have to waste his time and energy coaching here another year. From Pitt's perspective, they would want to save a bit because they still have to pay somebody to coach the team next year and would probably under up shelling out another 2 or 3 million for that.
No. Capel is absolutely guaranteed $8 million. Why would he take less to go be an assistant or coach a low major? This is his LAST big job so he has to maximize it. Plus I'm sure he thinks with the right additions, he can make the NCAAT next year.
So Capel says he'll take $15 million now or $8 million next March (3 +5). Heather says we cant pay $15 million now and we dont want to pay you another $3 million for a wasted year so lets meet somewhere in the middle
I just said why: Because he wants to get the hell out of here asap. For a million bucks, he can spare himself another year of frustration. That's the deal. Otherwise, we'll just wait until next year and pay him the full 8.
I get the argument you're making, but it would be absolutely horrible negotiating on Pitt's part.
In his heart, would he take $7 million to get out of here? Maybe. Probably. But he is owed $15 million and he has an agent. He has a shit-ton of leverage, specifically him being the coach next year and Pitt, possibly, desperately not wanting him to be. The $15 million figure now is so high and the $8 million guarantee he has is so high, it doesn't leave Pitt much room for negotiation. If Pitt says, "we can give you $7 million and that's it," Capel may just decide to coach the team next year, maybe make a run at the NCAAT and get another year or possibly get a decent A10 or American Athletic job.
Well those would be his choices if I'm Pitt. If the numbers reported are true - and they very likely are not - then he can either accept 6 or 7 right now or he can have his full 8 next year. There's no other option.
Pitt isn't going to concede all the leverage and pay him 10-12 just so we can, hopefully, suck for one less year. And as much as I'm ready to move on, I'd be mad if they did do that (again, assuming the reported buyout numbers are true).
You got mostly there but then you’re wrong. The starting point is the $8-9 mil he’s owed after next year. No need to pay more than that. And Capel shouldn’t and likely wouldn’t take less.
But no need to go over that. If he won’t budge you can just tell him you’ll make next year hell for him and convince him to take the same money he’ll get next year now and avoid another year of public humilation and stress.
The absolute maximum ceiling is 8. It would be stupid for Capel to not that take, because he can either go do whatever he wants next year or return to this disaster of a situation and he'll be getting the same amount of money either way.
From Pitt's perspective, it makes sense to try to negotiate something lower than that, because 1) They are essentially offering him a paid year off and 2) They'll have to pay somebody else to coach if he's not here.
So 6 or 7 is what I'd be aiming for. If Capel doesn't like it, hey, we'll run it back next year, and both sides can just be miserable until the Spring of 2023.
And I dont think he'd budge off the $8-$9 million if his best players return because in his heart, as a competitor, he probably truly believes he can make the NCAAT next year with a few good transfers.....like a Miami or Wake. Now, if everyone leaves and he's starting at a possible 0-20, then, yea, maybe he takes less to avoid embarrassment.
I have News for you all -
Pitt won’t be writing a check for the buy out -
The boosters will - if enough are willing to pay for it .
It’s not coming from the Pitt general fund
It’s comical how as college sports fans folks don’t understand this yet
Pitt won’t be writing a check for the buy out -
The boosters will - if enough are willing to pay for it .
It’s not coming from the Pitt general fund
It’s comical how as college sports fans folks don’t understand this yet
He likely won’t. Be we have $8-9 mil to pay him out. It’s there. Just a matter of whether Heather wants to use it.
I agree with you, I'm sure Capel can't wait to put Pittburgh in the rear view. But--at this point, where would he realistically be able to go from here? I doubt even a mid-major that pays 500k or less a year would be interested in him. From a career standpoint, his smartest play is to hang on for dear life at Pitt as long as he can, and try to make some modest gains while he's here to improve his options for the next job.
Why do we always have Brinks trucks to pay guys not to coach but can never afford to pay good coaches? We could have had Oats for $4 million/year. Instead we went with Capel for $3 million.
What’s worse, all this contemplating over what the buyout will be. And then once it’s done, nobody will know for sure what the $ amount ended up being, other than by rumors and speculation.
Your mistaken belief is that Oats or Hurley would have come here for just a bit more money -
Where they weren’t interested for any salary.
The sad truth is this program isn’t desired by top candidates
Yeah, I'm definitely not suggesting he'll be able to recoup that money. But is a million or two worth committing yourself to this dumpster fire for another year? At some point, quality of life has to factor in to this discussion.
And he might think coming back next year might make him look more appealing on paper, but there's a better chance it makes his career resume even worse. Will Hugley come back? Will the ACC be this bad again?
We offered Hurley $4 mil a year I believe. And are paying Capel a Top 5 ACC salary.
You can’t force people to come here.
The boosters may provide the dollars, but the program will always pay for it in a sense. Whether it's a "using up our favors" sort of way or having to acquiesce those boosters in the future. I doubt Pitt is on the verge of becoming Florida football behind the scenes or anything like that, though.
He can get an assistant job at a good program, probably making $500K or so. Or he could get a low major job at like an HBCU making in the low 6 figures. I guess its possible he could get a bad mid-major job like at a bad SoCon or CAA program but again, that's low 6 figures. He has a lot of leverage
Hurley wasnt coming here. Oats would have for $4 million. We never offered him more than $3 million and he said no thanks. $4 million WAS over market-value for him but that's what we needed to do. Same goes for the next hire.
Let’s all take a step back and let that sink in. Decisions, decisions, should I put myself through this next year for another $1-2 mil. I don’t think that would be a hard decision for most on this board.
Life is a lot different for a major college coach compared to the average Joe on the street.
Yeah, you're telling me. I've let $5,000 influence job decisions. Being a head coach is good work if you can get it.
From watching him after these last 2 loses in the post game interviews, it looks like his spirit is broken. If that is the case and he already knows many fans want him out and now with Hugley's post game comments that players aren't listening and playing for themselves, I don't know how anyone would want to continue, especially without any recruits committed. All the money and buy out issues aside, I would not be surprised if he and Heather call a joint presser and he announces he is stepping down. I may be just hoping for the best case exit strategy but maybe for the good of his own health, it will end like this.
Agree. But I just don't think he and Heather want to leave on an acrimonious note. Just hoping, probably unrealistically, that this ends more like Majors II where both sides agree that it's better to move on. And I understand the situation with Majors was totally different. Similar though in that Capel should realize this was his last shot at the major college level.
The only reason you leak that data is to let your fans know we have to do one more year. If I was Lyke I see how much power that I have based on the contract to make assistant coaching changes. And if she had power (which I doubt she does) then I have him clean out his assistants and hire 1-2 Pitt guys who you can offer to keep on or a coach in waiting. Plus not sure Jeff wants to fire his brother so maybe that grease the wheels of him accepting a lower buyout.
This recurring idea that the AD can force the coach to fire his own hand-picked assistants, replace them with a couple of AD-picked assistants, and that that will fix the mess the head coach has created on his own, is fantastical.
Once again you prove complete ignorance of contracts and finances. Just stay out of this discussion in the future to avoid continued embarrassment.
Capel is not that old, and he has already made millions and millions of dollars through basketball. Sure, he can line his pockets, but his legacy will be that of a coach who wrecked programs everywhere he went. I don't believe he is going to walk the same path that Stallings did. Does he want to be driven out of the profession before he's 50?
I have been critical of him, and still am, but I don't consider this season to be nearly the failure that Stallings' 0-18 was. I'd argue this could actually be the best coaching job he's done here, although that is not saying much. He's in over his head here, but I haven't seen any indications that he's been negligent or has purposely made the program worse.
I think he's earned another year, whether we like it or not.
Go where? Go for what?
You post nonstop about a buyout you know nothing about, then start a thread with a hypothetical scenario that maybe Fredo Corleone (or a 1st grader) would think is a reasonable deal.
You actually thought that out and posted it like some revelation. LOL
I would love for you to post a coherent thought/opinion regarding the buyout discussion. I don't think you are capable and thus take the easy way out of just insulting somebody. If you disagree with a post, that's great. If you want to insult me, I don't care but please offer a rebuttal and make us believe you are not a moron.
Stop
No contract has full penalty of full existing salary - because no institution is that stupid
Even you cellphone or cable contract has escape clauses for early termination less than full value
Last edited:
Its normally a percentage of remaining salary. With that many years remaining, it is probable that its about 90%. 100% would be rare. But $15 million with 5 years left does sound pretty accurate. The drop to $5 million does not. But perhaps they arranged it this way to ensure Capel would be here through 22-23 so he wouldnt leave for Duke or another job. He was on the bubble in Year 2 when the extension was given so Heather was probably afraid she was going to lose him quick.
I don’t see anyone thinking negligent or or purpose, but that’s a really low bar. More so in year 4. It’s a no go for what’s being (been) spent.
