Felton Jeffrey Capel III, born on February 12, 1975, in Hope Mills, North Carolina, is a prominent figure in American college basketball. Hailing from a basketball-oriented family, his father, Jeff Capel II, and brother, Jason Capel, also left their marks on the sport. Capel's own journey in basketball began at South View High School, where he led his team to a state championship in 1993, setting numerous school records in the process.
Moving on to Duke University from 1993 to 1997, Capel made significant contributions as a starting guard. His memorable buzzer-beater against UNC remains etched in Duke basketball history. Amassing over 1,600 points, 433 assists, and 220 three-pointers, he secured a place among Duke's top performers.
Transitioning to the professional arena, Capel played for teams like the Grand Rapid Hoops and Élan Chalon. However, his true calling lay in coaching. He began as an assistant at Old Dominion University before ascending to head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he achieved notable success, including leading the Rams to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in years.
Capel's coaching journey continued at the University of Oklahoma, where he navigated highs and lows, including a memorable Elite Eight run. Despite challenges, his tenure at Oklahoma showcased his coaching prowess. A return to Duke University as an assistant coach further solidified his coaching legacy.
Throughout his career, Capel's dedication to the game and his ability to inspire players have left an indelible mark on college basketball.
| Name | Jeff Capel |
| Title | Head Coach |
| Team | Pittsburgh |
| Conference | ACC |
| Record | 87–88 (.497) |
| Born | February 12, 1975 (age 48) Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | 2000–2001 Old Dominion (assistant) 2001–2002 VCU (assistant) 2002–2006 VCU 2006–2011 Oklahoma 2011–2018 Duke (asst./assoc. HC) 2018–present Pittsburgh |
| Tournaments | 6–4 (NCAA Division I) 0–1 (NIT) |
Jeff Capel Coaching Career
Jeff Capel began coaching by assisting his father at Old Dominion University before joining Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) as head coach, becoming one of the youngest in Division I basketball at 27. At VCU, he amassed many wins and earned coaching accolades. His tenure at the University of Oklahoma saw highs like an Elite Eight appearance. Despite challenges and player turnovers, Capel's coaching acumen shone through. Returning to Duke University as an assistant coach, he contributed to the team's success. Throughout his coaching journey, Capel's leadership and strategic prowess have left a lasting impact on collegiate basketball.
Jeff Capel's Accomplishments and Honors
Titles
Winner of the CAA tournament (2004)
CAA regular season champion (2004)
Accolades
Named to the CBA All-Rookie Team (1998)
Earned Third-team All-ACC honors (1996)
Recipient of the North Carolina Mr. Basketball Award (1993)
Recognized as the ACC Coach of the Year (2023)
Jeff Capel's Head Coaching Record
Jeff Capel's head coaching record reflects his tenure at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the University of Oklahoma. He achieved notable success, including leading VCU to its first NCAA Tournament appearance in years and guiding Oklahoma to an Elite Eight berth.
| Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason |
| VCU Rams (Colonial Athletic Association) (2002–2006) | |||||
| 2002–03 | VCU | 18–10 | 12–6 | T–2nd | |
| 2003–04 | VCU | 23–8 | 14–4 | 1st | NCAA Division I Round of 64 |
| 2004–05 | VCU | 19–13 | 13–5 | T–2nd | NIT Opening Round |
| 2005–06 | VCU | 19–10 | 11–7 | 5th | |
| VCU: | 79–41 (.658) | 50–22 (.694) | |||
| Oklahoma Sooners (Big 12 Conference) (2006–2011) | |||||
| 2006–07 | Oklahoma | 16–15 | 6–10 | T–7th | |
| 2007–08 | Oklahoma | 23–12 | 9–7 | T–4th | NCAA Division I Round of 32 |
| 2008–09 | Oklahoma | 30–6 | 13–3 | 2nd | NCAA Division I Elite Eight |
| 2009–10 | Oklahoma | 13–18* | 4–12* | T–11th | |
| 2010–11 | Oklahoma | 14–18 | 5–11 | 8th | |
| Oklahoma: | 83–69 (.546)* | 33–43 (.434)* | |||
| Pittsburgh Panthers (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2018–present) | |||||
| 2018–19 | Pittsburgh | 14–19 | 3–15 | T–14th | |
| 2019–20 | Pittsburgh | 16–17 | 6–14 | T–13th | |
| 2020–21 | Pittsburgh | 10–12 | 6–10 | 12th | |
| 2021–22 | Pittsburgh | 11–21 | 6–14 | T–11th | |
| 2022–23 | Pittsburgh | 24–12 | 14–6 | T–3rd | NCAA Division I Round of 32 |
| 2023–24 | Pittsburgh | 12–7 | 3–5 | ||
| Pittsburgh: | 87–88 (.497) | 38–63 (.376) | |||
| Total: | 262–198 (.570)* | ||||
Jeff Capel's Personal Life
Jeff Capel is married to Kanika Réale Blue, a Duke alumna, and daughter of Daniel T. Blue, Jr. They wed in 2003 and are blessed with three children. Capel's personal life reflects his deep connections to basketball and academia.
FAQ's On Pittsburgh Basketball Coach
A. Jeff Capel was born on February 12, 1975, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA.
A. Jeff Capel played college basketball at Duke University from 1993 to 1997.
A. Jeff Capel and his wife, Kanika Réale Blue, have three children.
A. Before becoming the head coach at VCU, Jeff Capel served as an assistant coach at Old Dominion University.
A. Jeff Capel is currently the head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers men's basketball team in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
