By Banzay on 23:21
Filed Under: Haywood, Mike
ESPN's Joe Schad is reporting that the University of Pittsburgh has hired Miami University football coach Mike Haywood.The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported earlier in the day Haywood could be introduced as the next coach as early as Thursday.The paper reported Wednesday that Haywood interviewed for the Pitt job last week, and returned to the campus for a second interview which continued late into the afternoon Wednesday. Haywood, 10-15 in two seasons at the Mid-American Conference, held a series of meetings on campus Wednesday with Pitt officials – some of which were spotted by students, according to the Associated Press.Said Jordan Gafford, a Miami senior safety and co-captain earlier in the day: "We want the best for him and our staff. We understand if he wants to do something else.”Asked by the Associated Press about Haywood, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger – a former Miami player – said he knew nothing about him.“He (Haywood) never reached out to me,” Roethlisberger said Wednesday. “I don’t really know him. I know what helped Miami, Ohio win this year, in my opinion, more than anything, is Brad Bates, the athletic director. What an awesome guy.”Haywood would be the first African-American football or men's basketball coach in Pittsburgh history.Miami (9-4) is preparing to play Middle Tennessee State (6-6) in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6 in Mobile, Ala. The RedHawks this year made the biggest turnaround in college football, after going 1-11 last year in Haywood’s first season as coach.Haywood, 46, is from Houston. Before becoming Miami coach, Haywood was an assistant at seven college programs including LSU, Texas and his alma mater Notre Dame. Haywood was chosen as the American Football Coaches Association assistant of the year in 2005, but lost his play-calling duties with Notre Dame in 2008.Before being hired by Miami, the 46-year-old Haywood was passed over for head coaching jobs at Houston, Minnesota and Washington.Telephone messages were left Wednesday seeking comment from Haywood and Miami University athletic director Brad Bates.Mike Pearson, Miami athletics media relations director, said the university has received several calls about Haywood possibly going to Pittsburgh.“We typically don’t make a comment on rumors like this, so that will be the case this time,” Pearson said. “Until or if something happens, that would be the other institution’s message.”The Miami media schedule, made earlier this week, lists Haywood as having a press conference Friday at 11 a.m. in Haywood’s MU office. That press conference was intended as a routine media opportunity, leading to the RedHawks’ bowl appearance.The Pitt job opened last week when Dave Wannstedt resigned under pressure. Wannstedt was given the option of coaching Pitt in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Jan. 8 in Birmingham, and Pitt defensive coordinator Phil Bennett last week told reporters that Wannstedt would coach the game. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Wannstedt remains undecided about coaching the game.Miami was scheduled to have practice Thursday, but Pearson said the workout was canceled because of anticipated inclement weather. Forecasts called for 3 to 5 inches of snow.
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