Phil Bennett to coach Pitt in bowl game

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- Phil Bennett will coach Pittsburgh when it plays Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl Saturday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Monday.

The Panthers found themselves without a coach after Dave Wannstedt resigned and Michael Haywood was fired shortly after being hired to replace him.

Bennett, the team's defensive coordinator, will serve as head coach for the bowl game, the newspaper said.

Wannstedt stepped down as head coach Dec. 7 following a 7-5 season but remains with the university as an assistant to the athletic director. He told his staff he would not lead the team in the bowl game.

Haywood, who was hired by Pittsburgh away from Miami of Ohio, was fired on New Year's Day following a domestic violence arrest.