Pitt reprimands Jeff Capel for 'double standard' remarks about officiating

Pitt coach Jeff Capel’s remarks about how his team’s games have been officiated this season drew a public reprimand Sunday from his employers at Pitt.

School officials said Capel violated the ACC Sportsmanship Principle when he said a “double standard” exists for his team.

“There’s a double standard with us, and I’m tired of it,” Capel said Saturday after the 77-62 loss to Clemson. “I’ll get whatever (punishment) will happen. But, you know, teams can talk to our bench. They can go crazy over a call, and nothing happens. But when we’ve done it — a little bit — there are technical fouls. It’s been, really, for two years that it’s been this way. But it’s really been this year, especially over the past month and a half. And it’s really frustrating. I don’t know what to say to my team.”

Capel’s remarks were triggered after Pitt’s Justin Champagnie, the second-leading scorer in the ACC, did not take a foul shot in the Clemson game.

“I don’t like the way he’s officiated, just to be completely honest with you,” Capel said. “And when you’re a really good player and one of the best players in the league and go through a game where you play 30 minutes and don’t shoot a free throw — when you’re not just a jump shooter — that’s something that’s been really frustrating.”

The ACC Sportsmanship Principle states: “Public criticism of officials or public comments evaluating the officiating of particular contests is not in the best interest of intercollegiate athletics. Individuals associated with the athletics program are prohibited, therefore, from commenting while acting in an official capacity on officiating other than directly to the Conference office.”

Capel said he has spoken to ACC about the officiating of Pitt games.

“But it doesn’t matter,” he said. “We have to figure out a way to continue to fight through and persevere. Hey, look, those (officials) have a very hard job to do. They’re good guys. I like all of them. But, man, it’s frustrating when you see some of the things.”

Pitt’s statement on the matter said, “Coach Capel accepts full accountability for his actions, understands the consequences of the comments and has spoken privately to the appropriate parties involved.

“The University of Pittsburgh, the ACC and coach Capel consider this matter resolved and will have no further comment.”

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