Pitt's Jeff Capel Says UNC Fans Show 'Lots of Disrespect' for Brother Jason
Feb 2, 2023
ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 14: Pittsburgh assistant coach Jason Capel gestures from the bench during the college basketball game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on January 14th, 2023 at Hank McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
University of Pittsburgh coach Jeff Capel called out North Carolina fans for disrespecting his brother, Jason Capel, who played for the Tar Heels from 1998 to 2002, during the Panthers' 65-64 win Wednesday night.
"My brother loves the school," Jeff Capel told reporters. "He dreamt of coming here as a player when we were little, when he was little. He wore that [North Carolina] jersey with a lot of pride, and since he's left here, there has been a lot of disrespect toward him. And one thing happened today, and I don't think it's coming from within the basketball program, and I don't know who controls their social media ... . I get social media, you try to be funny or whatever, but I thought it was them trolling him.
"It's a complicated relationship with him and North Carolina. He loves [them], but I think at times, he doesn't feel that back."
Jason Capel currently serves as an assistant coach under his brother at Pitt. Myron Medcalf of ESPN reviewed video of Jason Capel in an intense back-and-forth with fans after the game saying, "All I did for this program and y'all disrespect me? You got a broom? That's a sweep."
The Capels apparently found a social media post for Wednesday's game featuring Creighton Lebo, who wears the same No. 25 Capel did at North Carolina, disrespectful. North Carolina's athletics department said there was no disrespect intended by the post.
"The person who made the graphic didn't even know what number Jason wore when he played here 21 years ago when the designer was three years old. We put all of our players on game-day graphics, and it just happened to be [Lebo's] turn," a spokesperson said.
Jason Capel was a four-year starter at North Carolina, averaging 12.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists. The Tar Heels reached the 2000 Final Four with Capel contributing on both ends of the floor in a surprisingly deep run.
