Pitt's decision to retain Jeff Capel is complicated, puts pressure on offseason plan 

A recent project has caused a financial strain on Pitt Athletics 

As avid Pitt supporters know all too well, the "Victory Heights" project, which led to a new venue for their Olympic sports, has caused the athletic program to be cash-strapped and unable to afford what would be required to fire a men's basketball coach without receiving more in the form of donations from boosters. 

Pitt failed to gain the outside money that it initially hoped would alleviate the cost of the "Victory Heights," causing the school to be forced to fund a major project even though Olympic sports are unlikely to ever provide a return on an investment that massive. 

Pitt may have had trouble landing a quality new coach 

And in addition to the financial obstacle, a vacancy at Pitt would put the job up against an abundance of other Power Four programs in this coaching cycle. The current perception of the Panthers' basketball program may not allow them to end up with a type of coach they love enough to warrant investing in. 

But on the flip side, Pitt will now have to find a way to sell a commitment to building a winner to a fan base that has only experienced one NCAA Tournament appearance since the 2015-16 season. Pitt has also only been ranked in the Associated Press' poll in two separate seasons over that timespan. 

Pitt's decade-plus of mediocrity, first under Kevin Stallings and now under Capel, came after arguably the greatest period in program history. 

Pitt was once among college basketball's elite 

From the spring of 2002 to 2016, Pitt made 13 NCAA Tournaments led by Ben Howland and then-current TCU head coach Jamie Dixon, a stretch that was highlighted by a run to the Elite Eight in 2009.   

The pressure is now on Capel, Greene and Pitt as an institution to use whatever money they have to build a team that fans can be proud of once again. 

Greene said as much in a statement released with the Capel news. 

"We must be better going forward. I know it. Jeff [Capel] knows it. And you know it. Jeff [Capel] and I will continue to examine every aspect of the program and will make the necessary changes."

Since taking over in 2018, Capel has a 127-127 overall record and a 60-92 mark in conference play. Capel's tenure has been undeniable unsuccessful, but the decision to retain him had to be about more than just wins and losses. 

Article contains firsthand reporting.