Pitt Basketball will bring back Jeff Capel as coach next season

Jeff Capel will not see his name added to the growing list of Division I men’s college basketball coaches who will be fired after the 2025-26 season.

In a letter addressed to “Panther Nation,” Pitt athletic director Allen Green announced that Capel will return for the 2026-27 season, his ninth season leading the Panthers. Capel was one of several coaches who had the hot seats for much of this season, and he led the Panthers to a 127-127 overall record.

Announcement

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“Over the past few months, I have spent considerable time evaluating every aspect of our men’s basketball program. This process included conversations with Coach Capel, a review of our staff and roster, the structure of our program and transfer portal landscape, as well as our investment in the program. I have consulted with University leadership to ensure we continue to align with our expectations for the program,” Green wrote in the letter.

“After this thorough evaluation, I have made the decision that Jeff Capel will continue to lead our men’s basketball program. I believe our best path forward is continuity of leadership combined with clear expectations and a willingness to evolve.”

Green’s decision to keep Capel for another season comes two days after the Panthers were eliminated from the ACC Tournament with a 98-88 loss to the No. 1 seed. 7 NC State. Pitt opened the ACC Tournament in Charlotte in upset fashion, eliminating No. 1 seed Stanford. 10, 64-63 thanks to a layup by Damarco Minor with 0.4 seconds left on the game clock.

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Announcement

Green went on to point out the Panthers’ 13-20 record this season, their fifth losing season under Capel, as “well below our expectations,” given the program’s level of investment that was “pretty sufficient” to “reach the NCAA Tournament at a minimum.”

Pitt went 5-13 in the ACC this season, which was good enough for the last seed in the ACC Tournament at No. 15. The ACC Tournament only features the top 15 teams in the conference. Of the 13 losses the Panthers suffered in the ACC this season, one came against Boston College, which did not qualify for the 2026 ACC Tournament.

“Effort alone isn’t enough. We have to get better moving forward. I know it. Jeff knows it. And you know it,” Green continued. “Jeff and I will continue to review every aspect of the program and make adjustments as necessary.”

Jeff Capel record at Pitt

• Documentation: 127-127 overall | 60-92

Announcement

In eight seasons, Capel led the Panthers to a .500 overall record at 127-127 and a 60-92 record in the ACC.

The Panthers have made the NCAA Tournament only once under Capel, in the 2022-23 season, when they were the 11th seed in the Midwest Region. After their ACC Tournament quarterfinal exit, Pitt was sent to Dayton for the First Four of the NCAA Tournament, where they beat Mississippi State in the March Madness play-in game. From there, the Panthers earned a round of 32 victory against Iowa State before losing to Xavier in the round of 32.

Pitt has had just three winning seasons thus far under Capel: 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25. The Panthers’ 24 wins in the 2022-23 season are the most under Capel so far.

Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of how the Panthers fared under Capel:

Announcement

• 2022-23: 24-12 overall (NCAA Tournament)

Jeff Capel contract

Capel received a three-year contract extension from the former Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke in July 2024. The extension keeps Capel under contract with the Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season.

His annual compensation for the 2023-2024 season was $3,947,729, according to the USA TODAY Sports database.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jeff Capel gets another season as Pitt’s head basketball coach