Most of the news concerning the Pitt men’s basketball team this offseason has centered on coach Jeff Capel’s attempts to rebuild the team’s scoring base after losing Blake Hinson and Bub Carrington.
The news was finally about Capel on Wednesday when Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke extended his contract through the 2029-30 season. Capel, 49, is now signed for the next six seasons. His previous deal had three more seasons on it.
In making the announcement, Lyke praised the work Capel has done to rebuild the basketball program with two consecutive seasons of 20-plus victories (a total of 46), including 26 in the ACC and two in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
“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,” Lyke said in a statement, referencing the 2017-18 team’s 0-18 record in the ACC.
In the past two seasons, Pitt has finished tied for third and fourth in the 15-team conference.
“Jeff fully embraced that challenge from the outset and never wavered from his lofty vision for our players and program,” Lyke said.
“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.”
Capel’s record in six seasons is 97-92, and he was named the 2023 ACC Coach of the Year and national coach of the year finalist.
Over the past two seasons, Capel has spoken repeatedly about the support the Pitt administration has offered his program.
“The University of Pittsburgh continues to have outstanding leadership under Chancellor Joan Gabel and Director of Athletics Heather Lyke,” Capel said in a statement. “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 100% of ourselves as we represent Pitt on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”
Capel will direct a new-look roster this season, having lost Hinson and Carrington, both of whom signed NBA contracts, and adding two players from the transfer portal and three freshmen. He signed transfers Damian Dunn (Houston) and Cameron Corhen (Florida State), who have played in a combined 169 games, while welcoming freshmen Brandin Cummings, Amdy Ndiaye and Amsal Delalic. Capel discovered Delalic overseas, bringing him to Pitt from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They will complement a roster that includes four of the top six scorers from 2023-24: guards Ishmael Leggett and Jaland Lowe and forwards Guillermo Diaz Graham and Zack Austin.
Lyke has signed her two most high-profile coaches, Capel and football coach Pat Narduzzi, through the 2030 seasons.
