Pitt HC Jeff Capel Named to Coach of Year Watch List
PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers head coach Jeff Capel is one of the 15 college coaches who have been named to the Werner Ladder Naismith College Coach of the Year watch list. The Panthers enter the final five games of the season with a 19-7.
In the midst of a late-season run, the Panthers have their eyes on the NCAA Tournament and a strong seed in the ACC Tournament. For the program, they're one win away from their first 20-win season since joining the ACC.
Capel is joined on the late season watch list by; Randy Bennett (Saint Mary’s), Chris Collins (Northwestern), Mick Cronin (UCLA), Dennis Gates (Missouri), Pat Kelsey (College of Charleston), Dusty May (FAU), Sean Miller (Xavier), Nate Oats (Alabama), T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State), Matt Painter (Purdue), Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Shaka Smart (Marquette), Jerome Tang (Kansas State), and Rodney Terry (Texas).
The Panthers have won a season-best six consecutive games and have a 7-2 true road win, tied for second most in the NCAA among power conference teams.
Pitt is second in the ACC and tied for 15th in the NCAA with five Quad 1 victories.
Coaches not included can still make the ten semifinalists which will be announced Thursday, March 9. It'll then be narrowed to four finalists on Monday, March 20. The final round includes an opportunity for consumers to participate through the Naismith Awards Fan Vote presented by Jersey Mike’s, which accounts for 5% of the total vote and runs from March 21-28. The winner will be announced on Sunday, April 2, at the Naismith Awards Brunch presented by Frost Bank at the Final Four in Houston.
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