Capel joins the club; the 20 Loss Club

[asu66]

Tommy Bowman put Jason Capel on the spot in the media room after today's game. He asked Capel his thoughts about the fact that his contract ends in 25 days. Capel was choking back emotion when he responded, "I'm the coach until they tell me I'm not." He went on to say how blessed he's been to have the opportunity to coach and to help mold young lives.

One can't help but feel for the young man. He's chosen a tough profession. It's not an easy way to make a living. I believe we all hope that Coach Capel can find a situation that allows him to work and learn under the guidance of a strong and successful head coach somewhere.

In winding down this season, Capel suffered the fate of five Appalachian coaches who came before him. All of them had 20 loss seasons on their records. In collegiate basketball, the 20 loss mark is the mark that no one wants by their names. Frequently, it signifies the need for a change. This year is no different.

1953-54 Dr. Francis Hoover (4-20)
1972-73 Press Maravich (6-20)
1973-74 Press Maravich (5-20)
1974-75 Press Maravich (3-23)
1982-83 Kevin Cantwell (6-21)
1986-87 Tom Apke (7-21)
1994-95 Tom Apke (9-20)
1995-96 Tom Apke (8-20)
2000-01 Houston Fancher (11-20)
2003-04 Houston Fancher (9-21)
2013-14 Jason Capel (9-21)

[AppAttack]

Wow. Just wow. I feel for Capel but we obviously need to make a change. These last 2 years have been a total embarrassment. I wish Cobb would place more of an emphasis on basketball. There's no reason our program should be this bad. Move up & move on. Who are the potential candidates?

[EastHallApp]

I'm sorry it didn't work out. I wish Jason well in his next endeavor. I expect he'll have opportunities as an assistant coach or doing TV work if either of those appeals to him.

[Appsolutley]

Tommy Bowman put Jason Capel on the spot in the media room after today's game. He asked Capel his thoughts about the fact that his contract ends in 25 days. Capel was choking back emotion when he responded, "I'm the coach until they tell me I'm not." He went on to say how blessed he's been to have the opportunity to coach and to help mold young lives.

One can't help but feel for the young man. He's chosen a tough profession. It's not an easy way to make a living. I believe we all hope that Coach Capel can find a situation that allows him to work and learn under the guidance of a strong and successful head coach somewhere.

In winding down this season, Capel suffered the fate of five Appalachian coaches who came before him. All of them had 20 loss seasons on their records. In collegiate basketball, the 20 loss mark is the mark that no one wants by their names. Frequently, it signifies the need for a change. This year is no different.

1953-54 Dr. Francis Hoover (4-20)
1972-73 Press Maravich (6-20)
1973-74 Press Maravich (5-20)
1974-75 Press Maravich (3-23)
1982-83 Kevin Cantwell (6-21)
1986-87 Tom Apke (7-21)
1994-95 Tom Apke (9-20)
1995-96 Tom Apke (8-20)
2000-01 Houston Fancher (11-20)
2003-04 Houston Fancher (9-21)
2013-14 Jason Capel (9-21)

The length of that list says something about the tradition (or lack thereof) of our basketball program.

But being an optimist, I still think that a good hire by CC can change this.

[moehler]

Im a fan of Bowman's articles but he was wrong to ask Capel that question, everyone knows Capels is most likely gone, he knows his career as a head coach is about to end, atleast in the near future, and Im sure he is going thru a lot of negative emotions, he doesn't need Tommy, right after the game, putting him in that position to answer about his future. We can all agree he should be let go, but Capel is a good guy, he deserves some basic, human respect.

[MAD Doctor]

All the best to him. Unfortunately he has not only lost the team, but has set back the program light years. Granted, we are no Kansas, but we had some promising seasons not too long ago. Well, fresh starts for everyone. Charlie, you are on the clock. Make it count,

[AppHoops]

One can't help but feel for the young man. He's chosen a tough profession. It's not an easy way to make a living. I believe we all hope that Coach Capel can find a situation that allows him to work and learn under the guidance of a strong and successful head coach somewhere.

I agree. Capel is good recruiter and has the basketball pedigree. He definitely knows how to play the game and having played as a player in the final four, he knows what it takes to win. But knowing what it takes as a player and as a coach are different things. Once he lands somewhere under a more experienced head coach where he can learn more then I think, down the road, he'll get another shot somewhere.

It's easy to forget that Capel had one year of D1 coaching experience prior to being promoted to the head man. He has potential, he just wasn't ready.

[bcoach]

One can't help but feel for the young man. He's chosen a tough profession. It's not an easy way to make a living. I believe we all hope that Coach Capel can find a situation that allows him to work and learn under the guidance of a strong and successful head coach somewhere.

I agree. Capel is good recruiter and has the basketball pedigree. He definitely knows how to play the game and having played as a player in the final four, he knows what it takes to win. But knowing what it takes as a player and as a coach are different things. Once he lands somewhere under a more experienced head coach where he can learn more then I think, down the road, he'll get another shot somewhere.

It's easy to forget that Capel had one year of D1 coaching experience prior to being promoted to the head man. He has potential, he just wasn't ready.

and that is our (administration) fault. We offer a guy with virtually no experience to he a DIV1 head coach. He is a good guy. I wish him all the best. I hope someday he is a 20 win head coach.

[AppinATL]

I agree with all of the above. I harbor no ill will against Capel. His rich fairy godfather that pressured for him to be hired did him no favors. He was simply not ready for a D1 head coaching job and I fervently hope that he can find an assistant's position somewhere where he can pay his dues and learn the trade the normal way.

This will be an opportunity for CC to build a solid basketball program that will make us just as proud as our football team does. There is just no reason that can't happen.

[T-Dog]

I'm in Asheville and Capel was holding back emotion as he shook hands with his assistants as he left the court today. I feel bad for him, but it hasn't worked out.

And I don't blame Bowman for asking that question. As a journalist his contract ending is part of the story.

[IGgreer]

I echo the sentiments of many on this thread. Best of luck to Capel in his future. It just didn't work.

Can't wait until Cobb announces the "national search."

[Rekdiver]

Unless we figure out a way to pay a coach we are doomed to experiments.....