Capel Excited for Sooners' Future

April 3, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - There were times during his first month or two on the job that Jeff Capel wondered whether he'd made the right decision by becoming Oklahoma's coach.

It didn't take long for those doubts to fade away, and now he and his Sooners team are feeling the momentum of the first NCAA Tournament victory of his young career.

"I sense an excitement about our future, and that's really exciting to me. I think these guys understand that they did have a good year," Capel said Wednesday.

"They paid the price somewhat last summer to get better. To have a chance because of that to taste a little bit of success this year I think has created in them a desire to want more. In order to get more, we have to do more. We have to work harder."

Capel heads into his second offseason in Norman with some questions to answer, although the most pressing one rests with freshman standout Blake Griffin. Capel knows he'll be losing senior starters David Godbold and Longar Longar, but he'd also be without his top scorer and rebounder if Griffin decides to enter the NBA draft.

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Capel planned to have his second meeting with Griffin on Wednesday to give him more information on his draft potential, but he didn't expect any immediate decision.

"He's probably still around 50-50, not really sure. But he'll make the best decision for him and whatever it is we'll support him," Capel said. "I don't know a timetable for it. I'm hoping it's soon so we know, but I don't want to rush him into it because I want it to be a very informed decision."

Capel thinks Griffin could be a lottery pick, meaning one of the players chosen in the first half of the first round of the NBA draft, depending on how he did in workouts and interviews. But there's also reason for him to return to Oklahoma after a 23-12 season and continue to develop his game.

"I also know that he enjoys college too. I also know that he enjoys playing with our team, playing with his brother and I know if he does decide to come back, I know he's excited about the possibilities of our team next year," Capel said.

Griffin, who averaged 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds, was one big reason the Sooners were back in the NCAA tournament after a rare postseason absence. But Capel also credits the development of returning players such as guards Tony Crocker and Austin Johnson for a seven-win improvement.

"Getting to the tournament was a really big step as we continue to build. Winning a game hopefully makes that another step," Capel said. "When you get to the tournament, I think it helps you with recruiting and helps you in so many different areas."

Capel hopes a new contract that would extend his stay at Oklahoma for two more years will also help attract more top players to Norman.

"Kids tell me this: Other coaches are telling kids that I'm not going to be here. So hopefully this puts that stuff to bed and it shows the commitment not only that I've made, but the university has made," said Capel, who would make $1.05 million annually through 2014. "We want to be in this thing for the long haul and build something."

Toward the end of this season, Capel became the focus of speculation that he'd leave Oklahoma to become the head coach at South Carolina. He rejected that talk and insisted he wanted to be with the Sooners long term.

"It's where I want to be. Any time you're at a place where you want to be and also at a place where they want you, then you have a chance to have something or create something, I think, special," Capel said.

"When you work at a place where you have good people -- you have an athletic director like Joe (Castiglione), you have a president like President (David) Boren, you have a really good administration that's supportive and that let's you know that you're appreciated -- as a coach that's what you want. Obviously you want as much security as you can because we operate in a crazy profession."

Capel said he passed up several previous chances to leave his first head coaching job at VCU, but considered Oklahoma "just too good to pass up." In the early days, which included current Villanova star Scottie Reynolds and Texas standout Damion James pulling out of their commitment to the Sooners, he questioned that decision.

Now, he's preparing for his second major recruit in as many years to come to campus: guard Willie Warren, who led all scorers in last week's McDonald's All-American game.

"I think he has the chance to come in here and have a huge impact on our program. He's talented, he's a kid that wants to be really good and -- probably the most important thing to me -- he really wants to be here at Oklahoma," Capel said.

"He's really excited to be here and he's been that way since the day he committed and signed with us."

The combination of Warren and Griffin could turn Oklahoma into a national contender, but the progress of the rest of the Sooners has Capel's hopes high regardless of what his freshman decides.

"I'm really proud of this group, really proud of what we accomplished," Capel said, "and I look forward to our future."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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