Pitt AD Heather Lyke expresses 'a lot of confidence' in Jeff Capel

Pitt athletic director Heather Lyke expressed confidence Monday morning that men’s basketball coach Jeff Capel can reverse the team’s fortunes.

“I wish we had better news there. It’s tough rebuilding it,” she told a small gathering of reporters at Highmark Stadium. Lyke was there to address the women’s lacrosse team as it embarks on its inaugural season.

“I have a lot of confidence in coach Capel and his staff,” she said. She added, however, “I’m not sure we’re at the talent level that we need to be.”

Pitt (8-16, 3-9 ACC) has struggled this season, creating a 48-64 overall record in Capel’s four seasons, including 7-29 in February and March. He is signed through 2027.

After last season, Pitt lost several players who transferred, and two others — John Hugley and Ithiel Horton — were suspended this season and in 2020-21 while dealing with legal issues. Both have returned to the team after their cases were resolved in court.

Lyke pointed to Pitt’s comeback from a 28-point deficit while losing to Virginia Tech, 76-71, on Saturday as evidence players remain committed.

“If you say the first half of the Virginia Tech game was not a good showing for us … But they responded after halftime.

“This is a team that is dialed in. They care about one another. They’re unselfish. They believe in coach Capel and what he’s teaching them. He has not lost the team by any stretch. There’s a desire to win.”

She also said she has faith Hugley, a sophomore who leads the team in scoring and rebounding, can continue to improve.

“I think the world of John. He’s come a long ways,” Lyke said. “But he’s a young player. (Opposing teams) are going to key in on him because he’s so talented.

“He’s going to learn how to manage that, and that’s a big challenge for him. But he’s going to do it, and he’s going to do it with coach Capel’s help. I have a lot of confidence in those kids. They’re going to get better. They are getting better.”

Lyke, who has been Pitt’s athletic director for almost five years, gave football coach Pat Narduzzi a contract extension after a 5-7 season in 2017. He responded by winning the ACC Coastal in 2018 and leading the team to the conference championship in December.

Lyke was asked if there is a comparison between the programs.

“No two sports are alike, no two coaches, no two situations,” she said. “But when you believe in the coaches … they’re coaching for all the right reasons, and you see the relationships they have with the student-athletes. And, that locker room, they are connected.

“I’ve got confidence in them. Yeah, there’s a timeframe that makes sense and we’ll play out that timeframe right now. There’s no question I believe they can do it. It’s just going to take a little longer than we expected.

“It is frustrating. Nobody wants that more than coach Capel.”

She said they have a “very open dialogue.”

She added, “I also challenge things when they need to be challenged.”