There is a new defensive coordinator at Baylor.
Baylorbears.com reported Friday that Phil Bennett will take the position while the Bears’ former defensive coordinator, Brian Norwood, moves to associate head coach.
Bennett is currently interim head coach at Pittsburgh following head coach Dave Wannstedt’s resignation in December.
Bennett brings 32 years of coaching experience to Waco, including a six-year head coaching stint at SMU from 2002-2007. He has served as defensive coordinator at four of the six current BCS automatic qualifier conferences.
Coach Art Briles made the move after the Baylor defense ranked 104th in the nation in total offense, conceding 435.3 yards per game. Briles was intent, however, on keeping Norwood on the Baylor staff.
“We are deeply indebted to Brian for his leadership on the defensive side of the ball the past three seasons,” Briles said. “He has played a key role in helping Baylor reach a plateau it hadn’t been in 16 years, and I’m excited about his future as a Baylor Bear.”
