Capel quickly assembles staff
Last week we looked at Pitt’s hiring of Jeff Capel as the new men’s basketball coach.
In the last week, he has put together his staff and they are ready to roll.
The university issued a press release Friday saying that Capel has hired his brother, Jason, and Tim O’Toole as assistant coaches. Also hired were Jason Richards, as director of student-athlete development, and Brian Regan, as director of basketball operations.
Richards’ role is a newly-created position.
“One of the biggest lessons I have learned in coaching is to surround yourself with great people,” said Capel in a statement released by the university. “I am excited about the makeup of the staff.”
On Tuesday, it was announced that Capel hired Charleston’s Milan Brown as an assistant coach. Capel now has to make a decision on the strength and conditioning coaching position while considering creating other roles.
There is no doubt in my mind that Capel will bring on at least one or two more positions as I would be shocked if he didn’t have it in writing from the university that he can add positions as he sees warranted.
Ed Whited is the Director of Equipment Services at Pitt and he has had a chance to meet Capel and is thoroughly impressed.
“He is a very nice guy and both his brother Jason and Tim seem really cool, too,” Whited said. “Naming Brian as the director of operations is huge and he is a great guy, as well.”
The big question now is how many of the current Pitt players who had asked for their releases will stay on board.
Capel and his staff have a sales job to do and while next year may be lean again, look for the talent level to rise quickly as he is one of the top recruiters in the country.
Spring football games
It has not been a solid start to the spring football games for the local “Big Three.”
First, West Virginia canceled its game due to weather and then Pitt drew an announced crowd of over 8,000 fans Saturday. Penn State has its Blue-White game Saturday and I will head to Happy Valley for in-person coverage for next week’s column.
Penn State lost several key players from last year’s team and several top returning players will sit out. However, Penn State fans are clamoring at seeing the abundance of young depth that has been accumulated over the last few recruiting classes.
Saturday’s scrimmage will give a brief look at what lies ahead for the Nittany Lions.
Weather causing issues
Mother Nature has caused havoc on the high school spring sports schedules, but that doesn’t mean that teams at the collegiate level have been exempt, including Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
“You never know what to expect with the weather and spring sports in southwestern Pennsylvania,” said Fayette Athletic Director Lou Zadecky. “We have been fortunate with our new campus fields, but this year’s weather has been the most difficult to deal with that I can remember in a long time.
“We have been a part of nine canceled or postponed games this spring.”
The canceled games are causing scheduling conflicts.
“The weather has our backs against the wall when it comes to conference games and playoff deadlines,” added Zadecky.
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