Capel Named USBWA District II Coach of the Year

PITTSBURGH – Head coach Jeff Capel was named U.S. Basketball Writers Association District II Coach of the Year based on voting from its national membership. The USBWA has selected All-District teams since the 1956-57 season, its founding year.

Capel has led Pitt to a 22-11 record overall and a tie for third finish in the ACC with a 14-6 record in league play. The Panthers earned a 11-seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament for their first postseason appearance since the 2015-16 season. The Panthers face Mississippi State Tuesday, March 14 in a First Four game in Dayton, Ohio (9:10 p.m. – truTV).

Pitt built an outstanding resume during the 2022-23 season rebounding from a 1-3 start to win 21 games since Nov. 20. Additional season highlights:

The Panthers recorded their first 20+ win season since the 2015-16 campaign. Pitt also set an ACC program record with 14 conference wins.
Pitt recorded seven road wins, tied for fourth most in the NCAA among power conference teams.
The Panthers went 8-3 during the regular season against the top half teams in the ACC standings with wins over Virginia, Miami, NC State, Wake Forest, Syracuse(2x), and North Carolina (2x).
The Panthers have four Quad 1 victories (Virginia, at NC State, at North Carolina, at Northwestern) and three Quad 2 wins (Miami, North Carolina, at Syracuse).
Pitt's 11-win improvement from a season ago is tied for the second best in program history, while its 8-win increase in ACC play is a program best. Pitt is one of just three teams in ACC history to post a .700 win percentage in league play after four consecutive losing seasons.

Capel also received ACC Coach of the Year accolades and among the candidates for several National Coach of the Year awards. He joins Jamie Dixon (2009) as the only Pitt coaches to earn USBWA District Coach of the Year honors.

Capel Named USBWA District II Coach of the Year

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