JotCast | Abby Schnable's Pitt sports chat: 02.17.26

Abby Schnable's Pitt sports chat: 02.17.26

Abby Schnable

1:00

Hey everyone! Thanks for joining me on today's Pitt live chat. Excited to get to your questions, so let's get into it.

Matt from LA

1:00

Now that the season is mercifully coming to an end, who is ultimately to blame for this disaster: the head coach, the lack of talent, the lack of NIL money, poor recruiting, injuries, fate?

Abby Schnable

1:02

I don’t think there’s one villain here. It’s a combination of limited talent, limited NIL compared to competitors and injuries wiping out the margin for error. Jeff Capel isn’t perfect, but this doesn’t look like a coaching disaster — it looks like a roster ceiling that got exposed.

Big Steel

1:03

Can Pitt's basketball recruiting class leave if Capel moves on? Personally, I like Jeff Capel. But bad luck and loyalty to his coaching staff have led to a real mediocre time for Pitt basketball....

Abby Schnable

1:05

Yes — if Jeff Capel were to leave, recruits in Pitt’s class could absolutely reopen their recruitment. Coaching changes typically release players from their letters of intent. That uncertainty is likely part of why the administration may prefer stability for now, with a reevaluation after 2026–27.

BRUFOSS

1:08

i am of the firm believe that Coach Capel will be back next year . What current players do you think will be back, I am concerned that Bebe Cummings is to small and lacks the strength to make it in the Acc and have heard rumblings he might not be back Thank you for your good work!

Abby Schnable

1:08

I’d expect Roman Siulepa and Papa Kante to return — Siulepa feels like someone you can build around, and Kante’s injury history likely keeps him in place. I’ve heard the same chatter about Cummings, so that one feels less certain, and Macari Moore could be a portal candidate given the limited minutes. Omari Witherspoon and Kieran Mullen seem like safe bets to stick, too.

Matt from LA

1:10

Realistically, if Jackson had been able to play this year and there were no other injuries (Kante and Cummings), how do o think the season would have turned out? NCAA tournament? NIT? First round loss in the ACC Tourney?

Abby Schnable

1:10

If Jackson had been healthy — especially as a two-way center you can run offense through — this team probably raises its floor pretty significantly. A rim-protecting, paint-scoring big changes late-game execution and cleans up a lot of the defensive lapses that cost them.

That said, I don’t think it suddenly becomes a home-run year. With Jackson plus a healthy Kante and Cummings, I’d peg it as competitive in the middle of the ACC, maybe winning a game or two in the ACC Tournament and landing in the NIT conversation. NCAA Tournament feels like a stretch unless everything else breaks right.

1:10

Abby, I keep reading about how Capel does not know how to coach. I find this alarming for a coach who spent years as a coach K assistant. I believe it is more a matter of kids not wanting to come to Pitt because the Panther backers lack the funds to entice the better players. Also, the better high school seniors want money, too. Pitt needs to seriously open the wallet. What are you hearing up at Cardiac Hill ?

Abby Schnable

1:13

I think Jeff Capel is a decent coach — his teams have shown they can defend, share the ball, and maximize experienced transfers when the pieces fit. The 2023 turnaround proved he can build a competitive group. Where the criticism comes in is adaptability: when the roster doesn’t match his preferred style or lacks high-end shot creation, the offense can stagnate and in-game adjustments get questioned.

And yes — NIL absolutely matters. Pitt isn’t shopping at the same price point as some ACC peers, and that impacts both high school recruiting and portal battles. When your most successful portal classes are built on under-the-radar or lightly used high-major guys, that tells you the budget reality — and until that changes, the margin for error stays thin.

SVPanther

1:13

What is Greene/Gabel/BOT plan to eliminate/shrink Pitt’s ‘25 $-47MM AD deficit ($-283MM since ‘19) and when will it be announced? Have you asked?

Abby Schnable

1:14

They don’t really share that kind of information, even when we ask. Honestly, I doubt there’ll ever be a formal announcement — it’s not exactly a topic that makes them look good. Any moves to cut the deficit will probably just happen quietly through fundraising or budget adjustments.

Matt from LA

1:15

Any predictions on former Pitt players who will hear their names called at the NFL draft?

Abby Schnable

1:16

Kyle Louis feels like a lock to hear his name called, especially after a strong Senior Bowl showing. Desmond Reid is tougher to peg; his size and measurables put him on the fringe, so he might sneak in late, but it wouldn’t be shocking if he went undrafted and signed as a free agent.

Big Steel

1:19

How good is Heilig for women's volleyball? Will she give em a chance at winning the ACC again?

Abby Schnable

1:19

Absolutely — Heilig is a serious addition. Her club and national team experience give her a high-level skill set, and she’ll push for that MB2 spot behind Abbey Emch, creating a really competitive middle blocker room. With that group and a star like Olivia Babcock leading the way, Pitt is definitely in the mix to contend for the ACC crown again.

Matt from LA

1:19

Besides the highly rated freshmen for next year, is there anyone else in Capel's pipeline or will the rest of the roster be made from transfers?

Abby Schnable

1:21

You’ll likely see a core of Siulepa, Witherspoon, Felesi, and Foster, but beyond that it’s mostly going to be transfers. Pitt’s biggest needs are a center and a point guard — ideally experienced guys who can provide stability and veteran leadership right away.

1:22

Why can't Pitt keep the best players of the WPIAL home. McKeesport's Running back is prime example 1. Back in the day the best players stayed home...Dorsett, Marino and Fralic to name 3.

Abby Schnable

1:25

The landscape has changed. Back in the day, guys like Dorsett, Marino, and Fralic didn’t have to think about NIL deals or big-money opportunities. Pitt simply can’t always match what bigger programs or those with deep NIL resources can offer.

Look at Matt Sieg — he originally committed to Penn State but ended up at West Virginia because they could give him a bigger financial opportunity. It’s not about loyalty anymore; it’s about opportunity and financial reality.

Bruce

1:25

Hi Abby, thanks for chatting and thank you and Stephen for all the great content on the Post-Gazette Pitt Channel! I get so much good information from that! The Pitt basketball team is like the little girl with the curl...when they are good, they are very good. But when they are bad they are horrid. I think that fatigue plays a major role in that. I can't understand why Capel is not able to recruit some role players to fill out the roster. There is definitely some talent there. Just a few bodies would be a huge help

Abby Schnable

1:27

Thanks so much — really appreciate you saying that! I hear you on the “little girl with the curl” comparison. It really does feel like Pitt swings between extremes depending on health, depth, and momentum. I agree that fatigue and roster thinness have been huge factors this season. Capel has some talent to work with, but depth has been the challenge and adding a few experienced role players, especially in key spots, could make a huge difference in consistency.

Fort Mac

1:27

When Matt Sieg from Fort Cherry withdrew his commitment to PSU after Franklin was fired, was Pitt even in the running?

Abby Schnable

1:29

I’d say Pitt was definitely in the mix — he was in their top four or five once his recruitment reopened. I believe hee took a visit here, and from what I heard, there was a real shot Pitt could land him. West Virginia just swooped in at the last minute with a big-money offer, which ultimately sealed the deal, according to some reporters down in Morgantown.

Cdub

1:30

I don't see how teams like Pitt can compete in the NIL era. Even if we can get donors, they are going to be pissed after paying one year and seeing all the good players transfer to the Big Ten or SEC. Is there any chatter about dropping out of D-I?

Abby Schnable

1:33

The chances of Pitt dropping out of D-I are really slim — I suppose a conference change is possible, but even that seems unlikely given the revenue they get from the ACC and its successful programs.

I get the concern about being a “feeder” school, but honestly, that’s already kind of the reality right now. If Pitt can meet competitive NIL demands and produce on the court, players are far less likely to leave — they just don’t have the resources to do either consistently at the moment, though that could change down the line.

Bruce

1:33

I have been seeing the occasional posting on Pitt's X account welcoming new large donors to athletics, so Alan Greene is out there doing what he was brought to Pitt to do. That's great to see, but he is clearly playing catch up and still has to clean up the issues left by Heather Lyke. Are you getting any sense of how much progress he is making?

Abby Schnable

1:36

I can’t speak to exact numbers, since the university and athletic department keep that pretty close to the vest. What I can say is that the coaches at Pitt seem to have a lot of confidence in Greene — even after just a year, they wouldn’t feel that way if he wasn’t making real progress. A lot of folks want instant results, but cleaning up past issues and building donor support is a multi-year process.

Matt from LA

1:37

If things don't improve next year, are we looking at tarps in The Pete as well?

Abby Schnable

1:38

I don’t see tarps coming to The Pete. Football’s stadium is huge — 55K — so right‑sizing made sense there. The Petersen only holds about 12,500 and even with a rough season, empty seats aren’t nearly as glaring.

SVPanther

1:38

Why hasn't Verdi been suspended with pay pending independent review? That's SOP anywhere. Bad fact for Pitt going forward in that case, certainly.

Abby Schnable

1:40

I’d guess it’s because multiple high-level officials are involved. Both Verdi and the university are facing lawsuits, so suspending him could be seen as an implicit admission that others in leadership share blame.

Matt from LA

1:40

With the new AD, any chance for the renewal of the City Game or is that strictly Capel's call?

Abby Schnable

1:43

Allen Greene feels like the type of guy to welcome that kind of competition, but it’s ultimately a collaborative decision. Even if Greene wants to bring back the City Game, he still needs Capel on board — and we’ve seen some hesitancy from him in the past. Scheduling, financial considerations and program priorities all factor in.

Bruce

1:45

Steve Petersen is one of the most maligned people in Pitt athletics history, but frankly, he possibly saved Pitt athletics. Football and basketball were both dumpster fires. Football was playing in an eighty year old stadium and basketball in a sixty year old gym. I don't think Pitt athletics is in nearly as bad as shape now as it was then and I don't think that we need to be pushing the panic button. How about we just buy some tickets, go to some games, and contribute whatever we feel comfortable with?

Abby Schnable

1:47

I wouldn’t call Pitt “healthy” right now — both football and basketball are still dealing with real challenges. That said, it’s not like the Pederson era when the programs and facilities were in complete disarray. Panicking doesn’t help, and the best way to support the program is exactly what you said: go to games, buy tickets and contribute however you can. Fan engagement matters, especially during rough stretches.

SVPanther

1:51

Wouldn't it be useful for readers to know Pitt';s response to reporters questions about AD deficits, plans, downward trajectory of donations, etc even if the response if "no comment"? At a minimum it suggest an awareness of the problem, no?

Abby Schnable

1:52

You’d think, right? The reality is that Pitt doesn’t comment on most of that stuff publicly — even “no comment” is rarely offered. So while it might look useful for transparency, the university keeps those conversations tightly controlled.

Bruce

1:55

I don't expect Pitt to address finances in any great detail. I don't think that it would really help the situation and would probably hurt.

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