Oklahoma has secured one major piece in its basketball future with Thursday's announcement that the university and Jeff Capel have agreed on a contract extension and pay raise for the 33-year-old head coach.
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As much excitement as that announcement generates for Sooner fans, it will at least be matched should freshman star Blake Griffin decide to come back for his sophomore season.
But that news might not come for a few more weeks.
As for Capel, who went 23-12 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament in his second year at OU, he will have his contract extended by three years, through 2014. And he will receive an additional $300,000 per year in guaranteed compensation, bringing his salary to $1.05 million, plus incentives.
"I want to thank the University of Oklahoma, especially President Boren and Joe Castiglione, for the continued belief in me and in our basketball program,” Capel said in a statement released by OU on Thursday night. "Our program made tremendous progress this season, and the new contract will allow us to build on our momentum.”
Capel has a career coaching record of 118-68, including three postseason appearances, in six seasons. He made $750,000 in guaranteed salary this season, along with a combined $30,000 in bonuses for winning at least 20 games and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Joe Castiglione, Oklahoma's Vice President for Sports Programs and Athletics Director, said no state-appropriated funds will be used for Capel's compensation, which will be funded by revenue produced by the athletics department.
The contract does not become official until it is approved by the OU Board of Regents. Pay raises for coaches are typically approved during the June Board of Regents meeting near the end of every fiscal year.
According to reports, Capel had emerged as South Carolina's top target for its vacant head coaching job after Dave Odom announced his retirement in January. And rumors grew louder over the last two weeks that Capel would consider the job.
However, the coach remained adamant that he wanted to stay at OU. And Castiglione remained adamant that he'd be proactive in trying to keep him there.
"We greatly appreciate the positive momentum which continues to build under the leadership of Jeff Capel,” Castiglione said. "His work ethic, character, passion for excellence and his ability to inspire is truly generating enthusiasm for Oklahoma basketball.”
Just how far this momentum can carry the Sooners will depend heavily on Griffin's decision. The 6-foot-10, 243-pound forward has said he will take the next three or four weeks to make up his mind about the NBA.
Some NBA analysts have rated Griffin as one of the 10 best players available for the draft in June, while others suggest he should return for his sophomore season to polish his game, particularly his mid-range jumpshot and free-throw shooting.
Asked last week if it would impact his decision should Capel be hired away by another school, Griffin simply said, "it might.”
It isn't known how much of an impact Capel remaining in Norman will have on Griffin. But now that Capel is locked in at OU, that's one less thing for the 19-year-old to contemplate in making his decision. But he doesn't have to hurry. The early entry deadline for the NBA Draft is April 27.
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Get that new whipping boy up here. Sean is out. Andrea Riley is the worst sportman of the year so far. So much talent, no discipline. If Barry from Fort Collins think swing at a person while the aren't looking because you are losing and hearing some lip service isn't poor sportsmanship. He isn't an athlete, he is a pencil pusher.
New players comming in for Oklahoma:F Ryan Wright 6-9 UCLA transfer Ontario, F/C Kyle Cannon 6-9 Baltimore, C Orlando Allen 6-11 Cincinnati, Willie Warren 6-4 Ft. Worth. Tj Franklin 6-0 Ft Worth. Ray Willis 6-5 Atlanta. If Ou can get a quick point guard we will have something special next year espcially if Blake comes back...
I rest my case now, an osu fan just replied to himself as "on his side of the fence" and you dont like OU fans stereotyping! give me a break.
itmustsucktobeosu, ardmore - Mar 28, 2008 at 10:11 pm
AAHHH OSU FANS STOP POSTING! As for the OU nation this is huge, if Blake returns so could the big XII championship trohpy to Lloyd Noble. Warren is a star google him or check his youtube slide. OU has talent comming in from Baltimore, Cincinati and all over. Think JOE C didn't know the gem he got when Kelvin left? Jeff Capel did a great job last year, things are only going to get better!
See Mike, it is just not worth trying to diplomatic. I hope the decision does not bite OU where it hurts...in the pocketbook. Hollywood - the Eddie jokes are old and tired. Get over it!!
Congratulations Jeff Capel and team. Thank you for being a great coach and for your hard work! You deserve everything you get sir. I know it was tough early on when Scotty Reynolds turned his back, when Damien James not only turned his back but then committed to Fexas!?, then the limitations, lack of fan interest, defections, injuries, etc., etc. For you to hang in there for these guys and for you and your team to fight and scrap to a 20+ yr win season and a win in the tourney shows just what kind of men we are dealing with in Norman. I'd bust my lips open and burn my skin off on the LNC floor fighting for a loose ball for you and this team. You guys make me proud to be a Sooner basketball fan. Thanks! I simply can not wait until next year.
Antics = putting championship rings on the "commentary finger" instead of the ring finger and showing them to the road crowd at Colorado. Just this week's episode of "Delusional Aggie" making a special whining appearance. He realized he complimented a Sooner coach and had to save face with the crack about Billy.
I'm a big OSU fan, but I like Jeff Capel. He did a great job this year at OU. He's a class character and OU should be glad to have him (guess they are with contract extension). I'm glad OU decided to keep him. He's the best men's basketball coach I can remember them ever having (didn't like Billy Tubbs for his teams' antics). I'll be Capel can recruit now, too.
Low attendance? Not a basketball school? Further from home? Nah. Dollar $ign$ baby, dollar $ign$. You got to play the game and Joe C. is a gamer. I hope Griffin comes back. I also hope Warren isn't a one-and-done either. How can we get players like NC and Kansas without them scaring us every year that they will leave early?
Great job Joe and OU. Blake's decision is of course his own but you only get to experience college once and with Warren, who dazzled at the McDonald's game, Crocker starting to realize his potential and Taylor coming back, next year would be really be something if Blake joins them.
Nice work Joe. Capel is a good coach and hopefully he can bring in the talent to run with the big boys. Speaking of talent, does anyone know what kind of recruits are coming in next year?
Great Move. Mr Castiglione knows what he is doing. If Blake stays, next year should be plenty exciting because that Willie Warren kid is awesome. Catched some of the McDonalds All American game and he is lightning fast. No one could stop him from getting to the hoop. Mookie like.
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The list is: Willie Warren
Ray Willis, 6'6" guard out of Atlanta
Two Juco players - Orlando Allen (center), and Kyle Cannon (forward)
Article says that OU has second best recruiting class behind KU.
Good job, Coaches1