As many of you know Jeff Capel took over the HC job at Oklahoma.  I was able to catch up with him for a great interview.  You could see how the former Duke players bonded.  He came by and gave me a pat on the shoulder as I sat near the Duke staff during the Peach Jam and I later talked with him just after he had chatted with another former Dukie, Tommy Amaker.

BDN-  How do you feel abut landing the job at Oklahoma?

JC- I feel honored.  It's a tremendous program, with tradition, great facilities, a great university.  To follow in the steps of coached like Billy Tubbs, Coach Drake from back in the day, who took the program to the first final four and of course Coach Sampson.

BDN-  Where do you envision your program in five years?

JC- Hopefully we are able to get our first recruiting class and that the seniors by then will still be there, despite a recent trend of leaving early.  We hope to have some players that will put their stamp on the program.  We want guys that want to be a part of something bigger than them.  We will strive to establish ourselves as one of the premier programs in the country.

BDN- What style of play will the Sooners commit to?

JC- Well of course I didn't know what our roster would look like with turnover.  I'd like to play fast, get up and down the floor.  I do not like players to be robots.  Our guys are working hard this summer.  The word I would use is attacking.

BDN-  Tell me about your coaching genes...

JC- It plays into me with a coach and person, I have been blessed with my Dad who was a great Father and always involved in coaching.  My High School Coach Miller had a great influence on me. Then I had the chance to play for one of the greatest Coaches ever in Coach K.  Those three men have molded me.  They taught me about life ... from failure to adversity and I have been through them all, playing for a National Championship to being in the hospital. 

BDN-Elaborate on that for us ...

 JC- In the Summer of  98 I was diagnosed with a serious ulcer disease.  It came out of nowhere.  I had just got back from the Chicago Bulls mini camp and all of a sudden I couldn't keep food down.  The scary part is that they could not figure out what was wrong with me and I took a battery of tests and Ulcer (I admit I can't spell it/disease).  They did not know what causes it, so there is no cure and I took up to twenty two pills a day.  In the Fall of 98 I was seeing a specialist at Duke and they weighed me.  Back in June I was 225 pounds and in the best shape of my life.  When I got on the scales I was at 165 pounds and they admitted me immediately yo the hospital.  I spent seven to ten scary days there, but luckily Duke found the right combination of meds and so I am grateful for that experience, in that it really changed my life and made me realize a lot of things.

BDN- So this gave you time to reflect ...

JC- Oh, absolutely.  Every time I got close to the NBA something happened.  I ruptured a disc in my back the first time and then I get sick and the third time  I had a back problem, where I was told I may not walk again if I didn't take care of myself.

BDN- So can you do anything physical?

JC- Oh yeah!  I can still play, especially in a half court setting (laughing)

BDN- Did you worry about OU being a football school?

JC- No.  I think it is a plus.  I have never coached at a school that had football.  At OU, football is a culture of its own and I embrace that.  It helps us when 86,000 people are seen with a passion for a sport.  I get along with Coach Stoops.  He is helpful to me, despite the fact that he doesn't have to be.  I have a great relationship with all the coaches and they embark me and I look forward to being a part of it.

BDN- Was it hard to leave VCU, in that you have been around Virginia mot of your life?

JC-  It was really hard to leave my  players.  I have lived in Richmond, Virginia longer than anywhere in my life.  My family moved around a lot, but it still seems like home and I have some great relationships with people there.  Guys that loved us and believed in us mad it hard to leave ... seeing their faces.  I think they understand I had an incredible opportunity.  I wouldn't leave VCU for anything less than that.

BDN- What are three words that best describe Jeff Capel?

JC- Passionate, honest, loyal.

BDN- How about three words that best describe Duke University?

JC- Special, family and elite.

BDN- Okay, while we are on my tough three word description q's.  How about three words that best describe Coach K.

JC- Passionate, honest, loyal (the same he said of himself)

BDN- You have had great success early on in  recruiting.  What do you attribute that to? (He has signed a Duke former Duke target and Patterson's friend Early)

JC- We have a passion at OU and great facilities.

BDN- So you are looking for players that want to buy into what you are trying to achieve?

JC- Yes, players that want to be a part of something special over time.

BDN_-So you will recruit in a wide national base?

JC- Yes.  We will go head to head with anybody.

BDN- What are your best memories from your playing days at Duke University?

JC-  The relationship with teammates and coaches.  Just like here I have been able to hang out with Chris Collins and Wojo and Tommy Amaker who is beside us.  Coach K is always there for me .. Collins, Wojo and I were teammates.  It will always tie us together.  We love each other and want to see one another successful.  Coach Brey, Amaker and I will have some head to head match ups because we all strive to win at the highest level.

BDN- Is there negative recruiting?

JC Yes.  But I do not do that and Duke does not do that.  If you do not have a lot of good thing to say about you, then that says it all.  There are plenty of good things to talk about and I can't worry with what others say.  I am honest with people, that is what I learned.

BDN- So, how is your brother Jason doing?

JC- He is doing great.  He played in pro A and is making great money in international ball.

BDN- How are you adjusting to OU, which has to be different from the East Coast?

JC-  I am taking my time in figuring out my surrounding, but the people are great.  I have never lived outside North Carolina or Virginia, but I am getting used to it.  It reminds me of the town my high school was in.  The whole state is about OU.

BDN- Okay!  Thanks for your time and best of luck.

JC- Hey make me look good.  I saw your interview with Nate and enjoy what you do for the Duke Basketball Report and such.  I am a fan and go there three time s a day.

 Amaker and Capel

It was great to find out that Jeff was familiar with my work and I feel he will be very successful at OU.  I must admit though that he did such a great interview, that I thought about editing it to Duke's favor;)  I will give him a break, because Duke will hold there on, but coaches better not sleep on the hard working Capel, who is hitting the recruiting trail hard.

 Tommy signs for a fan at the Peach Jam.