Sports

Pitt hires Duke assistant as new men's basketball coach

LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 14: Jeff Capel the interim head coach of the Duke Blue Devils gives instructions to his team during the game against the Louisville Cardinals. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH — Pitt has hired Jeff Capel as its new men's basketball coach. Athletic Director Heather Lyke made the announcement Tuesday afternoon after national media reports surfaced.

"Coach Capel is a high-energy leader committed to being a part of our university and the city of Pittsburgh," Lyke said in a news release. "He has a tremendous basketball pedigree and a strong track record of recruiting, developing and mentoring high-quality student-athletes. His relentless work ethic, passion for the game and clear vision of how to build a program capable of competing at the highest levels in the ACC and on the national stage are impressive."

Capel has been an assistant coach for the Blue Devils for the past seven years, according to his bio on the school's website. He was also the head coach at VCU and Oklahoma.

Capel is from North Carolina and played college basketball for coach Mike Kryzewski at Duke. He's also a lifelong Steelers fan.

"I am honored to be named the head coach of the University of Pittsburgh men's basketball program," Capel said. "Pitt has a great tradition of success and I look forward to putting together a staff and team that will enable us to build on that tradition. As a lifelong Steelers fan, I know Pittsburgh as the 'City of Champions' and our goal from day one will be to recruit, coach and develop champions on the court, in the classroom and in the community."

He replaces Kevin Stallings, who was fired earlier this month after leading his team to an 8-24 overall record and a 0-19 record in conference play this season. It was Pitt's worst season since 1977.

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Capel will be introduced at a news conference Wednesday.

Channel 11 spoke to Pitt broadcaster and former Duke All-American Dick Groat, who said he couldn't be happier with the hire.

"He's a classy young man and I feel certain (he) will turn this program back around where it should be," Groat said. "It's not a very happy feeling to see an empty field house at the University of Pittsburgh."

Jared Wilson-Frame, Pitt's leading scorer from last season, will now reportedly stay after the news of Capel's hiring.

 

Cox Media Group

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