Wednesday, November 28, 2001

Former TCU assistant rumored for head coaching position at SMU, KU
By Frank Flaton

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State defensive coordinator Phil Bennett isn’t hiding his intentions of being a head coach, but he won’t say if his decision has been made or where he would like to go.

Bennett, a former TCU assistant coach, rumored to be a candidate for head coaching positions at Southern Methodist and Kansas, says he’s been contacted by “more than a couple” schools. He wouldn’t name the schools, but said interviews are pending.

“It’s just that time of the year,” he said. “I’ve been down this road before and you just have to keep your options open and your mouth shut.”

Bennett, finishing his third year as Kansas State’s defensive coordinator, said he’s ready to pursue the next stage of his career. He didn’t rule out staying at Kansas State, but said he’s looking for the right situation for him.

Bennett, 45, has been planning to be a head coach since he played at Texas A&M in the late 70’s.

“I used to tell my teammates that I was going to come back and be the head coach at Texas,” he said. “I’ve tried to prepare myself to be a head coach. There are some situations I am interested in. If the right opportunity arises, I think I could be a great head coach. But I just don’t know right now.”

Bennett did say that he wanted to coach at a competitive school and that his home state of Texas is appealing.

“I’ve run the gamut,” he said. “I’ve been everywhere and could live a lot of places.”

Bennett has coached at nine schools in 23 years. He’s been an assistant at Texas A&M, TCU, LSU and Oklahoma. And he’s been a defensive coordinator at LSU, Iowa State, Purdue, Texas A&M and TCU.

Bennett has had several head coaching offers since coming to Kansas State in 1999. He was close to accepting an offer at LSU after that season, but chose to stay in Manhattan, where he and his two children, Maddie and Sam, have been happy.
Since his arrival, Kansas State’s defense has finished in the top five in total defense each season.