VCU's Capel to Oklahoma

Update: On the developing Jeff Capel story, this notice came in from VCU Sports Information at 12:55 p.m. today:

“Virginia Commonwealth University men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel announced today that he is leaving VCU to become the head coach at the University of Oklahoma. VCU will move quickly to name a new men’s basketball head coach, university officials said.

Last month Capel signed a contract extension,
to stay with VCU through 2012, but...

“‘While we are, of course, very disappointed that Coach Capel is leaving VCU, we also are proud of what he has accomplished here at VCU, and that he will be the head coach of a Top-25 team,’ said VCU President Eugene P. Trani.

“‘We know this is a coveted job and we feel confident that we will bring in a quality coach to continue to build on the program’s excellence,’ said Richard L. Sander, VCU Athletic Director. “We are both sad and happy with Jeff’s announcement that he is going to Oklahoma. He did a great job here, and we know he will do a great job there.”

In his four years as head coach at VCU, Capel, 31, guided the Rams to a 79-41 overall record, a Colonial Athletic Association title and two postseason appearances. Capel became the youngest head coach in Division I men’s basketball at age 27 after he was promoted from assistant in 2002.”

The Associated Press reports. "Capel inherits an Oklahoma team that loses three of its top four scorers and top three rebounders in seniors Taj Gray, Terrell Everett and Kevin Bookout, but features a strong recruiting class that includes McDonald's All-American guard Scottie Reynolds from Herndon, Va."

The Richmond Times-Dispatch says Capel met with his coaches and players at VCU this morning to tell them he's decided to leave the Rams to coach the Sooners:

Photo: SLANT