Sadler lauds Capel
OU basketball coach Jeff Capel has a huge fan in Nebraska coach Doc Sadler.
Sadler went out of his way twice Wednesday night to salute Capel’s program. Salder told the media during his press conference that you “never hear anything bad” about the Sooner program.
Then later, leaving Lloyd Noble Center, Sadler stopped to chat with OU athletic director Joe Castiglione and told Joe C. what a keeper he had in Capel, that Sadler never hears anything negative about OU basketball on the recruiting trail, that Capel does everything right, and that he couldn’t say that about a lot of people.
There’s no history that I know of between Capel and Sadler, and the comments were completely unsolicited. They weren’t in response to a question.
Capel has indeed done a superb job as the Sooner coach. Would another coach have been able to sign Blake Griffin? Probably. Would another coach have been able to sign Willie Warren? Maybe.
But that’s not really the point. Capel took the job, and OU basketball has been rising ever since. Both competitively and in status. On and off the court.
And Capel has what might be the most difficult thing to obtain: what seems to be heartfelt respect of his peers. At least one peer in particular.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Comments
Sadler is doing a great job as well. He may not be able to recruit as well as Capel, but he coaches up his team as well as anyone in the league.
OU can keep Capel if it makes basketball a high priority. As an example, see what UT has done with Rick Barnes. Both schools are always going to be focused on football, and will struggle to fill the arena, but Barnes is happy and doesn’t seem to want to leave.
I figured if he didn’t want the Kentucky job, then he’s gonna stay put.
okla will always be a football state regardless unfortunately. I bet capel escapes OK within 3 years. OU basketball won’t get consecutive sellouts until they win a championship and make final fours. start to build up tradition at least half of what ou has in football. then I promise you more fans would be more consistent in attendance. we can be a “Florida” and be dominate in both fb and bball.
Pay the man more. Dont want to lose him stability has created the place OU basketball has been over the last 25 plus years. Not a KU or have the history of OSU…but we are moving forward. Great work…. Pay the Man!
With a highly ranked team and the nation’s best player, plus excellent supporting athletes, the Sooners still don’t draw sell-out crowds. Any estimate on how long OU will be fortunate enough to keep Jeff Capel?