Oakland Zoo serenades Jeff Capel, 45, with chorus of 'Happy Birthday'
Jeff Capel didn’t smile much during Pitt’s 72-52 loss to Clemson on Wednesday night.
But Pitt’s coach couldn’t help but feel good — and, especially, grateful — when members of the Oakland Zoo serenaded him with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” before the game. Capel turned 45 on Wednesday.
“It was cool. It was a little bit embarrassing. I don’t like attention. I never have,” he said.
Despite the outcome, Pitt fans can’t complain about the trajectory of the program that has risen from 24-41 during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons to 29-29 in nearly two years under Capel.
“I’m appreciative. I’m grateful. They were awesome,” Capel said.
“But, for me, I had my time as a player. This is about these guys. I want everything to be about our guys.”
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Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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