NCAA Basketball: Top 12 candidates for 2022-23 Coach of the Year

By Joey Loose | Feb 7, 2023

Dec 10, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter talks with guard Fletcher Loyer (2) and guard Ethan Morton (25) during a break in the action against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the second half at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

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NCAA Basketball Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jeff Capel Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Jeff Capel (Pittsburgh)

Opening up the season firmly on the hot seat, many expected Capel to fail at Pittsburgh, much like he had failed in his first four seasons leading the Panthers. Prior to this season, he had not finished higher than 11th place in the ACC and had this program below .500 in each of his first four seasons. Frankly, his returning for a fifth season was a bit of a surprise.

The loss of 4-star point guard Dior Johnson before the season made the road even tougher, but that’s made Pittsburgh’s season that much more impressive. Things were rough at the start of the season with blowout losses to Michigan and West Virginia, but the Panthers have played much better in recent months. Pittsburgh already has swept North Carolina, beaten Northwestern, Miami, and Virginia, and sits an enviable 9-3 in the ACC, just half a game out of the conference lead.

The Panthers are right there on the bubble and could very well be an NCAA Tournament team, a testament to the job Capel has done in rallying the troops. A refreshed Pittsburgh unit has gotten great production from Blake Hinson, Jamarius Burton, and several other backcourt pieces during this fantastic run of play. Their 16 wins already match Capel’s high mark as Panthers coach, and there are still plenty of winnable games in the final weeks ahead.

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