Once more with feeling
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Phil Bennett said Thursday Dave Wannstedt will be the acting coach when the Panthers face Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl next month.
Wannstedt, who announced his resignation as coach Tuesday, did not appear at a news conference to promote the upcoming bowl game on Jan. 8 at Legion Field. Bennett stood in Wannstedt’s place to represent him.
“Dave will coach the game,” Bennett said. “He’s just back handling some details right now. But the plan is he will coach the game and then go into his role in administration.”
An obviously emotional Wannstedt cut short his comments during Tuesday’s announcement of his resignation, leading to widespread speculation that he had been forced out. Wannstedt will remain at Pittsburgh as a special assistant to athletic director Steve Pederson.
“It’s an emotional time,” Bennett said. “Dave is a football coach, and our kids loving playing for him. I think they’re excited about playing this last game and trying to work on the things that he’s instilled in them.”
Kentucky coach Joker Phillips said he believes the Pitt players can use Wannstedt’s impending departure as motivation.
“It’s just another incentive for those guys to play hard,” Phillips said. “But this is a football game, and those kids are football players. They’ll be fired up and ready regardless of the situation.”
Wannstedt has a 42-31 record in six seasons at Pittsburgh, his alma mater. The Panthers went 7-5 this season, including a 35-10 loss to rival West Virginia.
