Up to Bat: Joe Castiglione

April 12th, 2006

Sports are all about the cliché. “Defense wins championships.” “No pain no gain.” One you always hear during the recently finished NCAA Tournament is analysts describing a coach’s response to a decision by a player. “That was a shot that when he put it up you say no, no, no and then it goes in and you say, YES!” The next time you hear the name Jeff Capel, think of this sports cliché.

As I heard the news just before heading to bed my reaction was similar to all 100% of the followers of this opening, “What?” I didn’t say “Who?” As many did say because I am familiar with Capel’s work, a solid PG at Duke and was one of the big stories of the 2004 NCAA Tournament, but it was a shocking hire. First reaction, no, this is not good.

That’s not entirely true. My first thought was, wow this is great, Oklahoma really needed a point guard. Shortly after, I realized that Jeff Capel rolled into Duke about the same time that I was in high school, so he must not be coming to quarterback the basketball team. Then, again, I said no. This is not the home run of which we all spoke.

This seemed to be more of a bunt single that may have batted a run in. Then I started to look a little deeper. Much has been made about the belief that Joe Castiglione referred to hitting a “home run” in his press conference announcing the departure of Kelvin Sampson. Castiglione said no such thing, his exact words, “It will be exhaustive, it will be comprehensive and it will be very focused.” Which the two week period, combined with numerous reports of interviews and David Boren saying 40 names were considered.

Okay, so maybe it was a single by a shot through the infield gap. Then you consider that this is the same man who said the same thing about hiring Bob Stoops seven years ago. Obviously Stoops was more seasoned, established, and nationally respected than Mr. Capel, but what difference does that make when a University search committee comes in. Are you telling me that an unintelligent man would make it through an interview with an ex-Senator and Governor along with one of the best Athletic Directors in America?

Is it a guarantee that he will have the success of Stoops? Nope, not likely, but let me ask you when the last time Oklahoma went with a proven, “big time” head coach in any major sport? Answer- Howard Schnellenberger. Had ‘ole Howard ever failed before? Nope, but it was arguably the most tumultuous season in school history. Are there such things as a sure thing? Not really, you can get close, but not really.

Suddenly, it is possible that just by being a young and energetic leader hired by two men with impeccable leadership skills that this could be a double off the wall. Why? Compare Capel against some names that were thrown around seriously (if that was even possible in this search) and compare the 31 year old.

Some established names were thrown around lightly. Such as Skip Prosser, Al Skinner, P.J. Carlesimo, Mark Few, and Tom Crean. In short (and in order); too old, too comfortable, too NBA, too comfortable, and too bent on making his team a competitor in an impossible conference. Oh, and John Calipari, who has turned the N.C. State search into a high-pressure tactic to get a raise at Memphis.

One of the more interesting names is Jay Wright. Not because Wright was ever seriously considered or interested, but because he is a great comparison study. Before taking over at Villanova, Wright spent seven years at Hofstra who resides in the same CAA conference as Virginia Commonwealth. Wright led the Pride to a 122-85 record which is a percentage of .595, Capel has led Virginia Commonwealth to a 79-41 record in four seasons which is a percentage of .658. Wright was little known, but obviously very deserving of his post at Villanova.

Wright has had tremendous success in five seasons with the Wildcats, why can’t Capel do the same? Suddenly, I could see why over two weeks Capel became Joe Castiglione’s personal home run. The center of a “very focused” search. Now, compare Capel to the two other young “up and comers” that many thought were in the running.

Mark Turgeon (Wichita State) Six seasons at Wichita State and a .593 winning percentage with two NIT berths and a trip this season to the big dance.

Frank Haith (Miami) Two seasons at Miami (Fl.) University and a .539 winning percentage with two trips to the NIT.

Capel has, in four seasons, taken his Virginia Commonwealth squad to one NCAA berth and one NIT berth. At first, to a school with 25 straight post-season bids, this seems unimpressive. Consider this Oklahoma fans, VCU is on par with Oral Roberts, would two postseason bids in four seasons be considered very good at ORU. Answer- Scott Sutton just achieved back-to-back postseason bids for the first time in his seven seasons, and yes, it has been a success.

By all accounts, VCU should have been in the NIT this season as well, they were the highest ranked team to be left out, which would have been three in four seasons. So add it up, Oklahoma went for the coach that was young, excitable, and not looking for a stepping stone.

It’s not a 500 foot homer or even one that barely makes it over the fence, but it’s a high risk-reward situation. Imagine the ball going to the fence and the runner heading to third with the sign to go for the inside the park homer. He’s not there yet, but look back in a few years to see if Castiglione’s man beat the tag. And see if he didn’t make you say “no” many times, only to end up with a “Yes!”

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”
- Emile Zola

Entry Filed under: Oklahoma Sports