The Panthers coach will remain in Pittsburgh through the 2026-27 season
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Pitt head coach Jeff Capel signed a two-year contract extension on Wednesday, according to a release from the school. The extension comes on the heels of a season of solid progress, a strong start to the 2019-20 campaign and the commitment of a five-star recruit, and it will keep Capel in Pittsburgh through the 2026-27 season.
”I am excited about the direction of our basketball program as we continue to build a sustainable winning culture in the Atlantic Coast Conference,” Capel said. “We will continue to give 100 percent of ourselves as we represent Pitt on the court, in the classroom and in the community.”
”The Pittsburgh community has embraced my family and me, and we look forward to deepening our roots here,” he continued. “We are extremely appreciative to be part of the City of Champions.”
The announcement of the contract extension is an unexpected development, as Capel has only been employed at Pitt since March 2018. However, it serves as a vote of confidence in the second-year coach and a public showing of satisfaction with the job he has done so far. In addition, Pitt fans and recruits in the 2021 and 2022 classes will likely be relieved to hear that Capel is looking forward to establishing roots in the Pittsburgh community.
”In a short time, I have seen Coach Capel and his staff provide Pitt basketball with the opportunity to succeed at the highest level because of their work ethic, basketball acumen and belief in building this program the right way with the right people,” Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke said. “Coach Capel believes in setting great expectations and building it the right way to ensure sustained success.”
”There is no question Coach Capel is recruiting the highest level talent and tremendous individuals who will succeed as players and students at Pitt,” she added. “I have also seen Coach Capel embrace this program and the city of Pittsburgh, and our city has embraced him in return.”
