Pitt Retains Coach Capel for Ninth Season After 13-20 Record

Pittsburgh, PA – University of Pittsburgh athletic director Allen Greene announced Friday that men's basketball coach Jeff Capel will return for a ninth season, despite a disappointing 13-20 record in the 2025-26 campaign that left the Panthers on the outside of the NCAA Tournament.

The decision comes after a season marked by inconsistency, including a 5-13 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play and a 98-88 loss to North Carolina State in the second round of the ACC Tournament in Charlotte on March 11. Pitt qualified for the postseason by defeating Syracuse in overtime during the regular-season finale but struggled throughout the year, enduring a five-game skid in February against ranked opponents and non-competitive losses to teams like Quinnipiac and Hofstra at home. Attendance at the Petersen Events Center also declined over the past three seasons, reflecting waning fan support amid the program's slide from ACC contender to bottom-tier status.

Greene, who evaluated the entire program before making the call, emphasized leadership continuity as the path forward. "I believe our best path forward is leadership continuity paired with clear expectations and a willingness to...