COLLEGE REPORT DAILY REPORT : ACROSS THE NATION : Pitt’s Hackett Reportedly Will Be Fired

Paul Hackett, winner of only four games after September in his three seasons, apparently will become the third consecutive Pittsburgh football coach to have his contract bought out, according to media reports.

WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, citing university sources, and several radio stations reported Tuesday that Hackett’s contract will be bought out as early as next week.

University officials would not comment on the reports that Hackett will be fired before the Dec. 5 season finale at Hawaii.

Wearing a business suit, Hackett met with his players on Pitt Stadium’s playing field for several minutes before practice Tuesday, left as practice began, then returned later. He declined comment.

Hackett’s predecessors--Mike Gottfried (1986-89) and Foge Fazio (1982-85)--also were bought out of their contracts.

Pitt (3-8), loser of four consecutive games and eight of its last 10 games, already is assured of its worst season since the Panthers were 1-10 in 1972. The Panthers are 13-20-1 under Hackett, including a John Hancock Bowl victory over Texas A&M; on Dec. 30, 1989, the day he was named to replace Gottfried.

Hackett was Pitt’s offensive coordinator that season before being promoted to head coach by former athletic director Edward Bozik.

The Panthers were 3-7-1 in 1990 and 6-5 last year, when they lost five of their last six games. They’re only 1-7 in November under Hackett and are 4-16 after the month of September.