PITTSBURGH — Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt is being forced out of the job he always wanted, and the one he never truly wanted to leave.
Wannstedt resigned under pressure Tuesday, three days after Pittsburgh finished up a disappointing 7-5 season by beating Cincinnati 28-10. The former Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins coach will remain as a special assistant to athletic director Steve Pederson.
Pitt apparently chose to change coaches now, rather than after playing Kentucky in the Jan. 8 Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala., because most top candidates would not be available then, and national signing day would be less than a month away.
Wannstedt gave no signs Sunday after Pitt accepted the minor bowl bid that he was weighing retirement, and he said he was looking forward to recruiting. But after he met Tuesday with Pederson, Pitt held a hastily called news conference announcing he wouldn’t return.
“You know what? I had a few things to say but this says it,” an emotional Wannstedt said. “I appreciate the opportunity that (chancellor) Mark Nordenberg and this university gave me to come here, win games and most importantly to try to make a difference in these young men’s lives. Thank you.”
Wannstedt went 42-31 in six seasons, including a 26-12 mark from 2008-10 that is Pitt’s best for a three-season stretch since 1981-83.
Hoosiers name Wilson coach
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana introduced Kevin Wilson as its new coach, giving the Oklahoma offensive coordinator a seven-year, $8.4 million contract.
“Shoot, we’re going to build something special here and it starts with me,” Wilson said. “We’re going to be tough, we’re going to be physical, we’re going to put up a lot of points.”
Wilson replaces Bill Lynch, who was fired Nov. 28 after three straight losing seasons.
Footnotes.
Northern Illinois linebackers coach Tom Matukewicz was named the team’s interim head coach as it begins to prepare to face Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 18.
• Howard coach Carey Bailey was fired after going 8-36 over four seasons with the Bison.
• Oklahoma sophomore Landry Jones won the Sammy Baugh Award as college football’s top passer.
• Texas A&M’s Von Miller won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
The Associated Press
