NORMAN, Okla. — Oklahoma fired coach Jeff Capel on Monday after he followed a trip to the NCAA Tournament’s regional finals with the program’s first back-to-back losing seasons since 1967.
Capel was 96-69 in five seasons with the Sooners, but just 27-36 over the past two after Blake Griffin entered the NBA draft early and became the No. 1 overall pick. The Sooners finished 13-18 this season.
“This isn’t about our current team or the record of this past season. This is, again, looking at the entire program and our ability to be successful going forward,” athletic director Joe Castiglione said. “I weighed all the factors, and I reached the conclusion that a change was in the best interest of the University of Oklahoma.
“It was not an easy decision to reach, mind you, but it certainly is the one I made and made with conviction.”
Castiglione said his decision was based not on one factor but on the “totality” of the program, which landed under NCAA investigation again just as its probation was about to end, encountered a severe attendance drop and frequently lost players to early departures.
Capel had five years left on the contract that was extended after he made it within a win of the 2009 Final Four, with Griffin leading the way. Capel was making $1.5 million per year, and had annual raises and stay bonuses built into the contract. His buyout will be in excess of $2 million.
Tubby expects return to Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS — Amid reports he is close to replacing the fired John Pelphrey at Arkansas, Minnesota coach Tubby Smith said he expects to be back with the Gophers next season.
The coach said he is continuing to work on a two-year extension with athletic director Joel Maturi. The Gophers lost 10 of their last 11 games and did not receive a bid to the NCAA or NIT tournaments.
Footnotes.
Iowa State freshman forward Eric McKnight, who averaged just 1.1 points and 0.6 rebounds in 14 games, was granted a release from his scholarship and is expected to transfer.
• Loyola of Chicago fired coach Jim Whitesell after seven seasons. Whitesell led the Ramblers to a 109-107 record, including a 21-11 mark in 2006-07 and their first 20-win season since 1984-85, but they were 16-15 this season.
• Lamar University fired Steve Roccaforte after a 13-17 season and a 76-78 five-season tenure.
Denver Post wire services
