Read More: Capel linked to Arizona coaching vacancy
The rumors that have circulated all season might be coming true.
Arizona media outlets reported Wednesday that OU men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel was in the midst of negotiations to become the next coach at the University of Arizona.
Whether or not the rumors are true, one thing’s for sure: Capel should stay put, at least until his alma mater comes calling, and Joe Castiglione and the OU administration should do everything they can to keep him.
There a host of reasons that Capel should stay, not the least of which is the fact that the OU men’s job is one of the most stable in the country.
The last two coaches prior to Capel were here for more than a decade each – Billy Tubbs for 14 seasons and Kelvin Sampson for 12. The latter coach left only because of multiple recruiting violations.
Second, there is less pressure on Capel here than there would be at the Arizona.
He’s already proven what he can do with the right players – he reached the elite eight this season and overachieved by reaching the second round of the tournament a year ago.
Arizona fans are passionate, and immediate results would likely be demanded of Capel. The last thing he needs is to wind up like Billy Gillispie.
Whatever salary Arizona offers Capel, Joe C and the powers that be should match it at worst, exceed it at best.
With this year’s performance and a promising recruiting class that contains a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans on the way, Capel deserves a raise.
We hope all of the rumors are untrue.
But if they aren’t, there’s more than enough reason for Capel to ditch the desert.
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OUSooners 3 years, 1 month ago
Capel should stay until Duke comes knocking. Then I won't be able to say that he should stay.
Until then, my man-crush on Capel will continue, and likely will even after he leaves.
dave_shrugged 3 years, 1 month ago
ESPN is reporting that Tim Floyd of USC will be taking the Arizona job. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4035206