Pitt HC Jeff Capel Hits Career Milestone

Pitt Panthers head coach Jeff Capel earned a milestone win over Purdue Ft. Wayne.

PITTSBURGH -- Jeff Capel's six seasons have been far from smooth sailing, but some recent success in the past two seasons has helped propel him to a milestone that didn't seem likely, if possible at all.  

With a dominating, 62-48 victory over Purdue-Ft. Wayne at the Petersen Events Center, Capel improved his career record at Pitt to an even 84-84, a remarkable feat given how his tenure at Pitt started. 

Capel had won just 51 of his first 120 games at Pitt from 2018 to 2022, a winning percentage of just 0.425. But over the ensuing 48 games, Capel has now won 32 of them, a winning percentage of 0.696. 

He inherited a program that went winless in conference play the year prior and had become one of college basketball's laughingstocks. 

But after a landmark 2022-23 campaign during which he and the Panthers earned the school's first NCAA Tournament berth in seven years and won two games in the Big Dance while also earning the highest-ever finish in the ACC standings in school history. Capel earned ACC Coach of the Year honors for his efforts in bringing Pitt back to national prominence. 

Who knows what the rest of the season has in store for Capel and company but one thing is for certain - he's stabilized a program in desperate need of wins and hope. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Strong Defensive Effort Leads Pitt Past Purdue Ft. Wayne

Former Pitt Commit Flips to West Virginia

Pitt vs Purdue-Ft. Wayne: Game Info, Odds, Three Storylines

Pitt Prevails in Fight for Three-Star LB

Pitt Wins Battle For Four-Star DL

Pitt Inks Talented In-State Defenders on Signing Day

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt