Pitt Coach Hackett Is Forced Out

PITTSBURGH — Paul Hackett was forced to resign as Pittsburgh’s coach Wednesday after three seasons marked by poor records, declining fan support and the dwindling prestige of what formerly was one of college football’s premier programs.

Hackett, who had at least three years remaining on a multiyear contract, was permitted to resign, but obviously was forced out.

Hackett, 45, who was 13-20-1 at Pitt, read a brief statement at a news conference, but declined to take questions.

“We have had the success off the field, but I regret not being as successful on the field,” said Hackett, who substantially improved Pitt’s academics and off-field image. “I am profoundly aware of the importance . . . of fielding a winning team in the Pittsburgh sports arena.”

Athletic Director Oval Jaynes said an interim coach would be selected for the Panthers’ Dec. 5 game at Hawaii and that a search will be launched for Pitt’s fourth head coach since 1982.

Asked about rumors that alumni were pressuring for the return of either Mississippi State Coach Jackie Sherrill or ousted Tennessee coach Johnny Majors, Jaynes emphasized that he wanted a coach who could follow NCAA guidelines. Sherrill left Texas A&M; amid allegations he paid hush money to a former player after the school was put on NCAA probation for recruiting violations.

Hackett’s successor will take the job under an NCAA investigation of irregularities that occurred during the regime of Hackett’s predecessor, Mike Gottfried, and could lead to sanctions against Pitt.

Jaynes said the money for Hackett’s buyout did not come from the university, but what he described only as “restricted gifts.”

Sources told the Associated Press that perhaps as much as a half-million dollars was donated by an influential alumnus.