Oklahoma recruiting problems

[mustangnation]

Capel, Oklahoma weighing releasing three players
Associated Press


NORMAN, Okla. -- Oklahoma athletic officials have not decided whether they will grant requests from three players reportedly seeking releases from the national letters of intent they signed to play with the Sooners, new coach Jeff Capel said.

Guard Scottie Reynolds, forward Damion James and forward Jeremy Mayfield have each asked to be freed from the national letters of intent they signed with Oklahoma in November, according to newspaper reports.

"Any time you have a change like this this late in the year, it's tough. But we're going to survive it,'' said Capel, who was hired two weeks ago to replace Sampson. "We're going to survive it and we're going to come out a better program because of it. I'm a big believer you learn a lot through adversity. You learn a lot from everything. Everything's a chance to learn and get better.''

Capel and athletic director Joe Castiglione must decide whether to grant a full or partial release to the students or no release at all.

"We haven't decided,'' Capel said. "We'll get together and talk and figure out a decision, whatever it is, that's best for everyone involved.''

Castiglione did not return phone calls from The Associated Press.

Capel said he had met with all five of Oklahoma's signees, including forward Keith Clark and guard Tony Crocker, but would not talk about any of their individual situations.

"They're recruitable student athletes now,'' Capel said. "I'm not going to comment on any of that, anything that's going on. It's always been my philosophy in life -- what's supposed to happen will happen,'' Capel said. "And whatever happens will be the best thing for us, and our program will go forward.''

Capel has had to be careful with the number of recruiting trips he uses to contact the signees because of sanctions Oklahoma imposed on itself because of an NCAA investigation into 550 impermissible recruiting phone calls by Sampson and his staff.

"Obviously, some of the restrictions I've had, I haven't been able to get out as much as I'd like to, as frequently, but I have been able to contact and meet in person all of those guys (signees). And we'll see what happens.''

If any of the players decide to attend another school, Capel said he might offer the open scholarships to other players.

"My job is to do everything I can to make sure our program is as strong as it possibly can be. And sometimes that requires you to make tough and hard decisions. That's what I have to do,'' Capel said. "I have to look out for the University of Oklahoma men's basketball program. And that's what I intend to do. Whatever you want to take out of that, that's what I intend to do.

"This program was given to me in very good shape and I intend to keep it in very good shape and improve it.''