(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The coaching picture for Pitt got a little clearer on Monday, at least for their upcoming bowl game this weekend.
Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett has been named as the team’s interim coach. He will coach the Panthers in the BBVA Compass Bowl.
According to our news partners at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dave Wannstedt informed his staff Monday morning that he would not coach the Panthers when they take on Kentucky.
Wannstedt held a press conference Monday afternoon to talk about his decision.
During the press conference, Wannstedt said he is a Pitt guy. He grew up here and grew up with the concepts of loyalty and pride.
He said he is proud of the way the players handled things and he will not coach in the bowl game.
Wannstedt wants the focus to be on the players and not the coach.
As a result, Bennett will coach the team.
As for who will coach the team next season, that still remains a mystery.
One day after his arrest on a domestic violence charge, the University of Pittsburgh dismissed their newly-named head football coach, Michael Haywood.
Haywood was released from St. Joseph County Jail on Saturday on $1,000 cash bond. The charge he is facing has also been upgraded from a misdemeanor to a felony domestic battery in the presence of a minor.
According to the Post-Gazette, Pitt Chancellor Mark Nordenberg met with players on Sunday about the incident. During the meeting, he apologized for how the search for a coach was handled.
Athletic Director Steve Pedersen was not present for that meeting and many fans are calling for him to be fired as well.
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