clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Dave Wanstedt Fired At Pitt, Sources Say

Rumors began swirling this morning, but media outlets across the spectrum now report that Dave Wannstedt has been fired and will not return as Pitt's head coach in 2011.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Paul Zeise reports that Pitt defensive line coach Greg Gattuso has confirmed the firing and that the Pitt coaches were given the news this afternoon.

The university has not commented on the matter yet, or who the interim coach will be, though there have been rumblings that offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti will take over for the time being. It's possible that a new coach could be in place by the time Pitt takes on Kentucky in the BBVA Compass Bowl on January 8. 

ESPN's Joe Schad is also reporting the firing.

Pitt was expected to win the Big East conference this season, which it technically did by sharing the title with conference BCS representative Connecticut and rival West Virginia, but after a 7-5 regular-season finish, many were not pleased following a 10-3 season in 2009.

Stay tuned to SB Nation Pittsburgh for further updates.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.