NEW: Reasons Capel should stay, leave

John Shinn
The Norman Transcript

Sat, May 17 2008

— Reasons for Capel to stay
1. Momentum. In two years, he's taken OU from one of its lowest points in the last 25 years to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Next year's recruiting class includes McDonald's All-American Willie Warren. If Blake Griffin returns, the Sooners' talent level will be good enough to compete for Big 12 title.
2. Winning tradition. Just like Billy Tubbs and Kelvin Sampson did, a coach can win at a national level in Norman. Since 1985, the Sooners have been a No. 6 seed or higher in the NCAA Tournament 16 times. That is the sign of a consistent Top 25 program.
3. Money. Oklahoma has been through this before. Illinois and North Carolina State are just two of the programs that tried to lure Sampson away during Joe Castiglione's tenure as athletic director. Castiglione knows how to keep coach happy be it with money, facilities or anything else.

Reasons for Capel to leave
1. Apathetic fans. Having to have a top 5 team to warrant passionate fan support is tough on a program. OU fans never really packed Lloyd Noble Center for any game this season, including Oklahoma State and Texas. Seeing a lot of empty seats at home games is demoralizing.
2. Homesick. Capel and his wife are both from North Carolina and Columbia, S.C. is obviously a lot closer to their families. This would make the most sense as far as a reason to leave.
3. Money. South Carolina has basketball program that’s been stuck in neutral for the 35 years. It’s won two conference titles during that period and made four NCAA Tournament appearances since the 1970s. It might pay through the nose for anyone who could make the Gamecocks relevant on the national stage.