Jeff Capel to AZ?

H

haddley

25+ Posts
Just heard on ESPN radio that negotiations are underway and that there could be an announcement in the next couple of days. Interesting. Sorry, it was the radio, so no link...
 
That's weird, everyone thought he wanted to move back east. He must really hate Oklahoma. Can't say I blame him.
 
Really? It seems like a vertical move to me. Arizona seems like a better job, where basketball is top priority. Good recruiting potential, pretty good history. OU will have a better roster next year, especially if Warren stays, but Arizona seems to be the better bet for long-term success. The surprising thing to me is that I assumed Capel would take a job moving back East, not West.
 
I agree that it's a move up for Capel. I'm al little surprised from Arizona's perspective. That's a program with ALOT of tradition. I'm surprised they can't lure someone more established. I still think there are a lot of questions about Capel. Mainly can he win without one of the best college big men of the last 15-20 years. I guess we'll find out next year no matter where he coaches.
 
I'd think that would be a pretty decent hire for U of A. They lost a big part of their talent base when Josh Pastner moved to join Calipari's program. Capel has proven able to draw the best players in Texas, so Pastner's Houston ties wouldn't be as missed. The only "big time' names I have heard regarding that job were Rick Pitino and Mark Few. Few jumped away from Indiana, and while the fly fishing is better in Tucson, I still suspect that guy is a small town Joe. He also remembers Dan Monson's career post-Gonzaga. There isn't good horse racing in Az so Pitino was a pipe dream. If you are looking for a young guy with upside, Capel is right up there. I like his offense much better than Barnes', and he had whipped Barnes on Warren and the two top Texas kids this year (although, to be fair, Barnes had little space for the two Texas HS players in next years class). I for one will be glad as heck to see Capel move on, if indeed he does. That guy is pretty scary to me!
 
Arizona
NCAA Tournament champions
1997
NCAA Tournament runner up
2001
NCAA Tournament Final Four
1988, 1994, 1997, 2001
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
1976, 1988, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1951, 1976, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009
NCAA Tournament appearances
1951, 1976, 1977, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Conference tournament champions
1988, 1989, 1990, 2002 (Pac-10)
Conference regular season champions
1932, 1936, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953 (BIAA)
1976 (WAC)
1986, 1988, 1989,1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005 (Pac-10)

Oklahoma

NCAA Tournament runner up
1947, 1988
NCAA Tournament Final Four
1939, 1947, 1988, 2002
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
1939, 1943, 1947, 1985, 1988, 2002, 2003, 2009
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1939, 1943, 1947, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2009
NCAA Tournament second round
1939, 1943, 1947, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009
NCAA Tournament appearances
1939, 1943, 1947, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009
Conference tournament champions
1979, 1985, 1988, 1990, 2001, 2002, 2003
Conference regular season champions
1928, 1929, 1939, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1947, 1949, 1979, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 2005

Arizona is a better job, but not much better than what you'd think.
 
At the time TMG was ready to commit, Texas was still slow playing. It's not that they did or didn't offer. They were following him around to his various AAU events. They were talking to him and the people around him on a regular basis. They simply weren't willing to pull the trigger at the time TMG was ready to make up his mind after the fiasco at LSU.

I love that kid, and I want to see him do well. I don't agree that Capel beat Barnes' brains in on the recruiting front with TMG --- or Gallon, for that matter. However, I don't like the idea of going all "RC Slocum didn't offer" on him, either. I think there's every chance he would have chosen OU over Texas even with an offer. Maybe not, but we'll never know one way or another.

It's not like Anthony Jones, where Texas literally said, "Thanks, but no thanks." Or Sylvan Landesberg, where they pulled out of the recruitment completely. Or various others. They wanted to continue to recruit TMG without making a decision yet one way or another, and TMG wasn't having any more of that.

Graeme,

I appreciate what you're saying. OU certainly has a lot to be proud of regarding its basketball program (although I don't recall a Final Four appearance in 2009). However, in terms of fan interest, it's night and day. The community --- and really the state --- revolves around Arizona basketball in a way that will never happen with OU basketball. It's a product almost solely of Lute Olsen and his tremendous success, and we'll have to see if it carries on after him, but at this point it's very deeply rooted.

However, you're correct. Other than the title --- and that does make a difference --- the postseason accomplishments of OU and Arizona are not all that far apart.
 
I don't get why Arizona is making a run at Capel. I am not that impressed.... but maybe Arizona is on the cheap.
 
SL- You sir are absolutely correct... I didn't mean to assert that they were on the same level. I do understand Arizona has a damn good tradition and a much better following.

I also corrected the error-wishful thinking
wink.gif
.

Arizona is a basketball school and always has been. I also am aware of the fact that they have a stronger resume (over 100+ wins and a title). I guess I should have stated that OU is good enough for now until one of the big boys comes calling (should they ever decide to).

OU is in a much better position to win currently and does not share the "pressure cooker" situation he would be falling into at Arizona. So if he truly does desire one of those destination jobs I feel it would be in his best interest to remain at OU for the time being....
 
The important point to make is that OU has a definite tradition in basketball themselves --- I'd argue more than Texas. I think you did a good job of making that point, at least in my opinion.
 
Whether we think it's a step-up or not if there's interest and an offer, then OU has to deal with it. And I think they will deal very aggressively with Capel. I think they think they found their man. All it takes is $$ and the Land Thieves have plenty $$. I think they'll want to make a statement that they're in the big time.

Plus, last time they lost a coach they also lost Damien James and Scotty Reynolds - and they would kill to have them this year. Since they've got a top class coming in next year I don't think they'll want history to repeat itself.

Just my 2 cents.

Hook'em!!!
texasflag.gif
 
You both correct...

I am not sure if Jeff is an unbelievable coach or not- next year will determine his true merit without Mr. Griffin. Having said that, I really like Jeff and I hope he sticks around for a while. He could do some really nice things here. I also agree, that we will/should spend the cash to keep him, and accordingly I believe Joe will do so.

SL- I know you follow basketball heavily... I see your posts all over the boards I visit. You would recognize my scout handle
wink.gif
.

In addition to this, half of my family went to UT so I follow the horns quite a bit- that's why I am here. I don't flame and I enjoy reading/ responding to you guys.
 
Bob, Capel has some serious talent. Blake Griffin is likely going to be the #1 overall pick and it isn't b/c of his coaching.
 
ESPN reporting that it's a done deal with Floyd.

OU must have stepped up...or Capel wasn't interested.

Hook'em!!!
texasflag.gif
 
Capel was never speaking w/Arizona.

Maybe all this nonsense was being fed to the media by his agent as a means to get Capel a raise. I also think it might've been a tactic by the Arizona folks as a smokescreen to hide their true target, Floyd.

I'm glad Capel is staying, regardless.
 
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