Does Capel save his job with an NIT run next year?

[Sooner23]

This is assuming Capel is back next year. I would probably say, yes. Castiglione would view an NIT berth as improvement and the program heading back in the right direction and keep Capel off the hot seat.

Agree or disagree?

 

[OUhoops11]

I think there's more to the decision than just a result. For instance, are there any off the court incidents? Is the team playing hard on the court? Are they improving since the beginning of the season? Have they quit? Is there obvious fighting amongst teammates? Is the team talented enough to make the NCAA? Is the team playing above or below its talent level? Were the losses close? Etc.

 

[NickZepp]

It's not that hard to make the NIT. That's basically being a top 100 team. That should be a bad year for Oklahoma.

 

[NickZepp]

Okay after giving a little more thought while NIT does nothing for me and most other OU fans more than likely. I think it'll also depend on if any staff changes are made. I seriously don't see this current staff helping Capel do much. It seems like the cheapest staff we could get because of restrictions Capel had for the Gallon debacle. I think Jeff needs to say after this season let me hire who I want and get better assistants, then maybe we can see him buy an extra year even with an NIT season.

 

[DenverSooner]

It's not that hard to make the NIT. That's basically being a top 100 team. That should be a bad year for Oklahoma.

It is a bad year for OU but it is at least an acceptable year. Furthermore, it would definitely consitute improvement.

If next season is an NIT year, OU would presumably return Blair, Pledger, Fitzgerald, Romero and Goff as seniors and Clark, Neal and Newell as juniors. That is something to build on and I don't see why you would fire your coach. However, if Capel loses a couple of players and does not make the NIT, I think you have to make the move. The other concern is what if he makes the NIT a few years in a row. For example, say no post season this year and then 3 years in the NIT. That is when it gets difficult.

 

[seniorsooner]

There are a lot of variables to this question. Do we finish the season strong, or on a late season swoon? Do we have any program changers coming in for 2012?

 

[thebigabd]

Its a bad year for OU to make the NIT, but after back-to-back horrible seasons it would probably save his job.

The bigger question is will he survive this year. OU is 0-3 and the pressure is already starting to mount, but its still early. Imagine the pressure on the program when OU is 1-10 or something like that.

 

[Krugerfan52]

I expect us to win 20 games and go to the NIT next year and it will obviously be a big improvement from this year. Then Joe C will bring him back knowing that that team of juniors will all be seniors the following year which will spell NCAA tourney.

If we dont win 20 games next year or 25 the following then Capel will lose his job. But the only way I see him losing it this year is if this team gives up like last years did.

 

[AdaSooner]

I voted, yes.

But I believe OUHoops11 is right in that there will be more to the decision than wins and losses. I also think a top ten or close to it recruiting class in 2012 could be a factor, and possibly offset a few of next season's disappoints.

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

If he survives this season, I can't imagine he'll be expected to make the jump to the NCAA tournament. We'll almost certainly be coming off of back to back 18+ loss seasons...

 

[Sid]

Its a bad year for OU to make the NIT, but after back-to-back horrible seasons it would probably save his job.

The bigger question is will he survive this year. OU is 0-3 and the pressure is already starting to mount, but its still early. Imagine the pressure on the program when OU is 1-10 or something like that.

If Jeff puts up an ofer in conference play it can't get any worse next year. Why not bring him back? Look at what John Blake was able to do at OU. His number of wins increased each year he was at Oklahoma. If Joe would have put Blake on a 12 year plan, John would have won a NC at OU.

Receiving an NIT invitation next season would be a major accomplishment for a school like Oklahoma. OU fans need to realize there will never be another coach like Sampson at Oklahoma. I don't care how many times schools like Butler or George Mason reach the Final Four.

 

[Sooner23]

If Jeff puts up an ofer in conference play it can't get any worse next year. Why not bring him back? Look at what John Blake was able to do at OU. His number of wins increased each year he was at Oklahoma. If Joe would have put Blake on a 12 year plan, John would have won a NC at OU.

James Hale agrees with this!

 

[jerry]

This is assuming Capel is back next year. I would probably say, yes. Castiglione would view an NIT berth as improvement and the program heading back in the right direction and keep Capel off the hot seat.

Agree or disagree?

If we want to have a competitive basketball program he shouldn't be back.

 

[bgrch1350]

If he doesn't make the tournament next season, OU will have underachieved and he should be gone.

He's a couple of pieces away from having a solid team next season...Mainly a PG. He has all but 1 player returning next season so it shouldn't have been to difficult for him to bring in a few pieces to finish out this roster. This team he has right now are struggling but they are giving everything they have which, along with a solid offseason, should make this team more competitive for next season.

I believe we will be back in the top 25 next year. But if I am wrong and this team only makes it to the NIT then he should be let go and they should find somebody else to replace him b/c the following year we will have all of our starting 5 returning plus our key reserves returning as well except for Washington.

 

[CokeSooner]

The first couple of posts in this thread were eerily similar to some threads at the end of last season and this last off season.