Pitt coach Jeff Capel tests positive for covid-19

Pitt men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel has tested positive for covid-19 and will miss the Panthers’ scheduled game against Louisville on Tuesday.

According to a news release from the Pitt athletics department, subsequent testing within the program resulted in no additional positive tests.

The Panthers (5-1, 1-0 ACC), who defeated Miami, 70-55, on Wednesday, are scheduled to host Louisville at 7 p.m. Tuesday and will close 2020 with a game at Duke on Dec. 29.

Pitt has not announced who will take over Capel’s coaching responsibilities.

Tim O’Toole is the team’s associate head coach who has 21 years of experience coaching at the Division I level, including eight years as coach at his alma mater, Fairfield. He was an assistant coach at Duke when Capel played for the Blue Devils.

Jason Capel, Jeff’s younger brother, and Milan Brown are the other assistant coaches.

Jason Capel was head coach at Appalachian State for four years. Brown compiled a 164-203 record as coach at Holy Cross (2010-15) and Mount St. Mary’s (2003-10).

Earlier this month, Jeff Capel said Pitt has had no covid-related “disruptions” since the start of practice, but he added, “I’m holding my breath until I hear the (test) results.”

He said the team’s visit to Illinois for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Dec. 8 was his first trip since July.

“If you look at the numbers back in March when the season was canceled, the numbers are worse right now,” the third-year coach said at the time.

“Something just doesn’t feel right about it. It seems like every day it’s getting worse. I don’t know why you cancel it in March, but you say it’s OK to do it right now. But what do I know? I’m no expert in anything.”

Jeff Capel also backed his mentor, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who said he wondered why colleges were playing basketball in the middle of a pandemic. Subsequently, Duke canceled the remainder of its nonconference games.